"Grateful x 2"

After trying to manage at home with severe abdominal pain, I relented and attended my local ED, not something I did lightly as a healthcare professional myself, especially on a Friday night.

I know my local ED well. I see these guys work hard every day, mostly unnoticed and unthanked by a relentless number of patients.

Becoming a patient makes you feel extremely vulnerable, if not a little paranoid that you're being overdramatic. But every single person I encountered from the reception staff, CSWs, triage nurses, doctors and surgeons were fantastic. They treated me kindly and took me seriously, alleviating my pain quickly and without fuss, and arranging for a follow-up on Monday afternoon.

Staff were also lovely, checking in on me and taking care of me in between their own work.

When I took ill again on Saturday afternoon, I was mortified to end up back in ED again, but everyone was super kind again, seeing that I was out of pain quickly and reassuring me I did need to be there. The surgical Reg who seen me was also lovely, explaining a bit more about their concerns and giving me medications to take home so I can manage at home better.   

I was reviewed again on Monday and the team at SACU were also excellent, I'm currently a virtual in patient (which is fantastic) awaiting an MRI and convalescing at home. 

I couldn't have asked for better and I'm pleased to highlight the wonderful work that my local ED does on a daily basis!