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I was in the safest possible hands at all times.

Posted By soilzw68

"I was in the safest possible hands at all times."

About: Belfast City Hospital / Endoscopy Unit General Surgery / Recovery General Surgery / Ward 2 South General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery

(as the patient),

Recently had colorectal surgery to remove part of bowel as precaution. The scariest and most concerning time of my life. But from the moment I had my pre-operation assessments to the moment I walked out of Belfast City Hospital after 6 days in hospital, I was in the safest possible hands at all times.

The surgical and anaesthetic teams and then the enhanced recovery team ensured that the principal of informed consent was paramount in my treatment and recovery at every stage. Every single person who dealt with me and my fellow patients on my ward was professional, courteous, caring and compassionate.

It is hard to fully express my gratitude to all those concerned, but what I do know is that what I experienced at BCC Endoscopy, Colorectal Surgery and Enhanced Recovery units was the NHS at its very best.  

Friends and family asked if they could visit me in hospital after my colorectal surgery. I didn’t want any visitors and told them that I was in the best hands possible. 


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Responses

Response from Julie Addis, Assistant Service Manager , Theatres Belfast City Hospital/Mater Hospital, Day Procedure Unit, Recovery, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 3 weeks ago
Julie Addis
Assistant Service Manager , Theatres Belfast City Hospital/Mater Hospital, Day Procedure Unit, Recovery,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 10/06/2025 at 14:20
Published on Care Opinion at 14:20

Hello soilzw68

My name is Julie Addis I am the lead nurse for the theatre and recovery department in the BCH. It is great to hear that you felt very safe whilst being in the department and that you were treated with kindness regardless of if it was nursing or medical staff that you had contact with. I would like to thank you for taking the time to show your appreciation to the teams your words of thanks will mean a lot to them. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Kind regards

Julie

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Response from Donna Irwin, Deputy Sister, Endoscopy Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 3 weeks ago
Donna Irwin
Deputy Sister, Endoscopy Belfast City Hospital,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 10/06/2025 at 16:06
Published on Care Opinion at 16:06

Hi Soilzw68,

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your recent stay in BCH. I am sorry to hear you had to undergo surgery to remove part of your bowel. I am pleased you are out the other side and trust you are recovering well. I am very glad to hear your overall experience was positive and you felt safe and so well cared for during your time in hospital- I will be sure to pass your message of thanks onto the rest of the Endoscopy team. I wish you all the best with the rest of your recovery.

Best Wishes,

Donna Irwin

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Update posted by soilzw68 (the patient)

Thanks Donna. Doing really well and recovering far better than I anticipated. Like I’ve already stated, I was in safe caring hands at all times.

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