"Her professionalism and care made all the difference"

I came into A&E with severe back pain that had been ongoing for 14 weeks. It was absolutely crippling—radiating down my legs with what I now know was sciatic nerve pain. I could barely move and was desperate for help.

That’s when I was seen by Arlene, an advanced physiotherapist, who quite literally changed the direction of my care. She assessed me thoroughly and didn’t hesitate to fast-track me for an MRI scan. Just three days later, the scan revealed that I had two slipped discs, and I was showing signs that could potentially indicate cauda equina syndrome—a serious condition requiring urgent attention.

Thanks to Arlene’s quick thinking and decisive action, I’ve now received the information I need and am currently awaiting a referral to Neurosurgery at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Several doctors and physiotherapists have since told me that without her input, I likely wouldn’t have been seen so quickly—or possibly at all—and would still be suffering in pain without answers.

A huge thank you to Arlene for not only recognising the urgency of my condition but also acting on it so swiftly. Her professionalism and care made all the difference that day