"A credit to the NHS (and the world to be honest)"

I attended A&E at the Royal Alexandra Hospital recently following a referral from my GP, who suspected appendicitis. I had been sent to another unit at a different hospital the previous night and had a deeply distressing experience, which left me hesitant to present to any hospital again. However, the pain in my right abdomen became excruciating — unlike anything I’ve ever experienced — and I was genuinely afraid something might have ruptured or become septic.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Dr McArdle, who saw me in A&E. I understand he sometimes works as a locum and is currently taking on additional A&E shifts to maintain his surgical skills — a commitment that speaks volumes about his dedication to both the profession and to patient care.

If we could clone Dr McArdle and place him in every A&E, the NHS would be the most effective and compassionate healthcare system imaginable. He is a perfect example of how powerful a calm and respectful presence can be. While he may not have been able to take my pain away entirely — and further investigation is needed — he brought such a steady, reassuring energy into the room that it calmed my nervous system and allowed me to better cope with the pain. He took the time to explain everything clearly, listened without judgement, and always had a plan — which made it easy to trust that I was in safe hands. I am deeply appreciative for the care he provided.

Any GP practice he chooses to join will be incredibly fortunate to have him, and I wish him all the very best in his future career.