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"You are all superstars"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Emergency department Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response

(as a relative),

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My mum was recently admitted for the 3rd time via ambulance to A&E. The ambulance team at home were amazing. A special shout out to Manus who went above and beyond the call of duty.

On arrival at A&E it was busy, but no more than normal. Mum is registered blind and was triaged and then sent to wait in the normal waiting area. Not ideal. She was then called to Minors where she was examined. The doctors in the medical team were outstanding. Every one of them took time to explain all to mum. Aaron, Stephen, Liada and a few others were so kind, caring and compassionate. They apologised for mum not having a bed and spoke to her with respect.

Hannah one of the nurses was amazing, kind and caring. She even checked on mum when not looking after her.

Alannah was very kind. All the nurses in Minors. Even the cleaners and support services.

Mum was then moved to majors 3. She sat on a wheelchair for 47 hours before getting a bed.

It is not the staff's fault. In my view, it is the system. Lack of beds, hospital overrun. Poor clinical decisions made by senior staff with lack of experience.

The staff in western trust are all stars. The nurses, doctors, support staff are doing an amazing job. Recognise them and support them.

The nurses in majors 3 - Elizabeth, Ruben and Mark so kind, caring and compassionate.

The 2 senior nursing assistants were amazing.

This is the real NHS. 

I can't thank the staff enough. You are all superstars.

Keep up the amazing work and be proud!!!!

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Neil Gillan, Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service 3 weeks ago
Neil Gillan
Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
Submitted on 06/05/2025 at 13:36
Published on Care Opinion at 13:36


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picture of Neil Gillan

Good afternoon browsertr77,

Thank you for taking the time to share your valued feedback. We are always grateful to those who share their experiences of the services they have received. It was reassuring to learn of the amazing support provided by the paramedics. As an organisation we are committed to consistently showing compassion, professionalism, and respect for the patients we care for. I would like to share your feedback with Manus and in order to locate him I would require the following information:

Date and approximate time of the incident

The address the ambulance was dispatched to

If you are happy to share this information, I can be contacted at: Neil.gillan@nias.hscni.net

Best wishes to you and your mum.

Yours sincerely,

Neil

  • 1 person thinks this response is helpful
Response from Colleen Hamilton, Service Manager for Unscheduled Care, Emergency Department / AMU /ACU Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT 3 weeks ago
Colleen Hamilton
Service Manager for Unscheduled Care, Emergency Department / AMU /ACU Altnagelvin Hospital,
WHSCT

management duties

Submitted on 06/05/2025 at 18:13
Published on Care Opinion at 18:13


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picture of Colleen Hamilton

Hi browsertr77

My name is Colleen Hamilton Service manager for Emergency Care in the Western Trust. Thank you for the time you have taken to provide our team with your feedback.

I would like to thank you for your kind words regarding the medical and nursing team in Altnagelvin Emergency Department. I have shared your comments with those mentioned. I am sorry that your mum had a prolonged wait in the department but grateful that she was provided with compassionate care from our team. Despite our ongoing challenges we always aim to provide high standard of care to our patients.

Our team are working collaboratively with patient flow and other services to look at service improvements and other opportunities that will improve the patient journey and experience.

I hope your mum is recovering well and would like to thank you again for your kind words for our nursing and medical teams.

Best wishes

Colleen Hamilton

Service Manager for Emergency Care

  • 2 people think this response is helpful

Update posted by browsertr77 (a relative)

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Thanks so much for your kind responses