"They have all been fantastic"

I had a recent health scare which was the final straw for me.  I was already struggling with extreme pressure at work having had to take on extra due to a staff shortage which lasted for 8 months and added to that, lost a much loved pet.  

When I experienced the health scare I was so low physically and mentally I wasn't able to cope with this added pressure.

I contacted Maybole Medical Practice and the Doctor I spoke with (Dr Vernon) arranged a referral to Ayr Hospital for a scan.  I spoke with Dr Vernon during the morning and later that day I had a call from the hospital offering me a cancellation appoint for 10 days later which I accepted.

During my wait for the referral appointment I had a further more significant scare and again contacted the surgery and the receptionist recognised I really needed to see someone so I was given an appointment the following day with the ANP Jennifer.  She was fantastic, I cried the whole time I was there and she tried to reassure me although she recognised that there was only so much she could say and I would no doubt worry,

I had my scan appointment and got results a few days later from Dr Vernon who advised while there was nothing serious to worry about, a referral to Gynaecology was required.  Again, a letter came in from Ayr Hospital very quickly offering me an appointment within a few weeks.

During the wait for this appointment I became increasingly anxious and feeling depressed and eventually had to admit I wasn't okay and not coping.  

I called the Practice and the administrator booked a face to face appointment with Dr Adams who is my usual GP.  Dr Adams was fantastic and tried to reassure me that there was nothing serious but I couldn't stop crying and she could see I was very distressed and unable to cope.

She immediately made me an appointment to see the Mental Health Practitioner Lisa for two days later.  Lisa was brilliant, she listened while I cried and got everything out (which took some time!) She validated how I was feeling and set in place a plan for some light medication and talking therapy.

My gynaecology appointment went well and after a camera investigation I was advised that there was no medical cause for my symptoms and it was very likely due to the pressures and stresses I had been under for such a long period of time.  This helped massively to know that all was well.

Within a few weeks of starting to take the medication I began to notice subtle changes in how I was feeling and could see glimmers of "everything was going to be okay".

Dr Adams and Lisa asked me to make follow up appointments and again the administrator made appointments to see both face to face for the following week.

Dr Adams talked to me at length about everything which had happened and was happy to note that I seemed much better.  We discussed my continuing use of HRT and I am reassured that I am okay to continue taking it since it has been a life changer for me.

Today I had my follow up appointment with Lisa Feris and she also noted a marked improvement. She was happy to talk at length about how I had been feeling and suggested ways of making sure I never got to the low point again.  

My whole journey from first phone call to today has been just over two months and I cannot thank everyone enough from the administrators answering the phone to the ANP and the Doctors, they have all been fantastic and I really feel I am being well looked after.

The hospital waiting times were short and I didn't have too long to wait for reassurance that all was well and again. I feel very lucky to have had such timeous care from them.

In addition, a couple of days ago I noticed my preventer inhaler was empty.  I phoned the surgery admitting I had been stupid and asking how soon I could have a prescription for a new one.  The girl on the phone was amazing and I had a new inhaler by the end of the day.

I really can't praise Maybole Medical Practice and all it's staff highly enough.  They really are a credit to the NHS and I am forever grateful I left the practice I had been with since childhood to join them.