"Kind, patient and very knowledgeable"

I was referred to the Respiratory Hub, Ward 22, Ulster Hospital with COPD. Unfortunately my taxi was late and I arrived at the hospital with little time to find the right department. By the time found and reached Ward 22 reception, I was out of breath and upset that I may have arrived too late for my appointment. I need not have worried, the Receptionist was very pleasant and assured me not to worry, I was fine and just to take my time.

I was barely finished giving my details before the lady I was having my consultation with (Leslie) came over and introduced herself  and took me through for my consultation. She was very kind, and instantly made me feel relaxed and comfortable. She discussed my condition, and asked how I had been feeling, and how the condition was affecting my day to day life. She was very patient and let me explain not just how I felt physically but also how I was coping with the effects of my condition.

After talking through my medications she explained that they were going to change my inhaler and explained why it was being changed. She then asked me to take a simple breath test, and talked me through it (Which entailed breathing in and out of a machine to measure the amount of a particular gas present in exhalation.  It was a little fiddly to get my breaths steady enough but Leslie was so patient and relaxed she managed to get a good reading ... and me laughing!)

She then suggested an up to date Chest X Ray and Bloods, which I was happy to go ahead with. The nurse (sorry I cannot remember her name) who took my blood was very caring and friendly and my blood was drawn, quickly and painlessly. She then walked me around to the X ray Department, checked I had everything I needed and that they would be in touch again. 

Throughout the whole experience I felt relaxed, comfortable and listened to, all thanks to the staff. They were kind, patient and very knowledgeable. It helps a lot when you are made to feel that you are welcome, your are listened to, and that you are not just a problem, but a person wanting and needing help with a problem.

The Respiratory Hub Ward 22 is an example of the best the NHS has to offer.