"My experience was turned from a nightmare into a dream"

I had reason to visit A&E at Forth Valley Royal Hospital due to a suspected DVT in my leg and it had caused chest pain.

My experience in A&E was not great although no blame can be attached to the staff who were literally swimming against the tide. I sat on a wheelchair in the waiting area for ten and a half hours. I was triaged within 1 and a half hours and had pain relief and obvs taken then sat for a further 6 hours before being re-triaged and had more pain relief and obvs. It was then a further 2 and a half hours before a cubicle became available where i spent 6 hours on a very uncomfortable trolley. I was seen by firstly a nurse then a few hours later by a junior doctor who managed to arrange a bed for me in the Clinical Assessment Unit.

Well to say my experience was totally turned from a nightmare into a dream is an understatement.

In the CAU the nursing staff especially Olivia day shift and Lauren night shift were outstanding and although very busy they quickly managed to make me feel comfortable, well cared for and safe. Everyone from the Registrar who first saw me within 3/4 of an hour of arrival in CAU to the Consultant later that day to the Endocrinology Doctor to all the nurses, care assistants & the domestics were hard working, welcoming and kept me fully informed at every stage of my assessment.

I found the area to be spotlessly clean, well organised and very professional in every area of responsibility.

I really can't thank all involved in my experience in CAU enough.

Thanks doesn't seem enough to say.