"An overall positive experience"

I was referred by my GP to AAU for a few reasons including high blood pressure and extreme dizziness and nausea. I was triaged very quickly by a lovely nurse but unfortunately didn’t get her name. I was then seen within half an hour by Lynsey who is a clinical auxiliary. After doing bloods and an ECG she made me feel at ease and comfortable.

I was then moved to a patient only waiting area and was told that my son that was with and worried about me could not join me, however there was people sat there who were clearly together, annoyed by this when mentioned to a staff member and was told that it was at staff’s discretion and that my son or my husband who had just arrived in the department were not allowed in and were told to go home.

No attempt was made to ask other family members sitting there to leave and when my husband asked for an update he was told that I would no doubt keep him informed. Poor communication considering I was brought in with a suspected stroke!! After sitting in a cubicle for 7hrs with no offer of even a jug of water and the vending machine’s outside not working made for an unpleasant wait.

Eventually I was called into an assessment area and seen by Stacey who apologised for my wait . She assessed me quickly but thoroughly and immediately put me at ease, her whole attitude was lovely and calming and very professional which helped immensely. Stacey followed up my assessment quickly and kept me informed up until my admission to Ward 46.

I would like to thank all staff I encountered in AAU, despite a couple of minor issues I could see how under pressure you are in the department but all were very polite and respectful under difficult conditions. Ward 46 staff were lovely from the domestic staff, Auxiliaries and Nurses, they go about their shift with compassion and humour which helps when your in a single room and bored ☺️. From a patient point of view an overall positive experience in how I was looked after and validated their compassion and care in a health system that is in crisis.