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"They were simply the best!"

About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Cardiology / Coronary Care Unit Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / General Surgery Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Surgical HDU NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance

(as the patient),

 First story:

 April 2025 

Having telephoned 111 they upgraded me to 999 and an ambulance duly arrived after not too long a wait. It was crewed by 2 young men who were both professional and respectful who decided I needed to be admitted. I was conveyed  to ARI where I was triaged and then in the ambulance for 3 hours, not ideal but bearable. 

On admittance to A&E I was dealt with sympathetically  and professionally then admitted to Ward 109 initially to a corridor bed. The biggest problem with this was the distance to the toilet!

Later in the day I was shifted to a room which was lovely. 

At all times staff were attentive and professional with special  mention to night nurse Roland, who apart from being extremely caring and efficient at all times kept me grounded after receiving the news nobody wants to hear.

I would also like to thank Mr Creaney and his team for their diligence and for their kindness and courtesy when delivering the diagnosis which the scans showed.

Second Story:

May 2025

Due to severe abdominal pain I phoned111, where the biggest problem is the time it takes to be connected to a medical professional. When this eventually happened the nurse decided to send a doctor. I was very fortunate to receive a visit from a doctor who within minutes told me he knew what the problem was and that I needed surgery. He said I should go straight to the ward, not through A&E, but it took some time for him to persuade the powers that be that this should happen. Thank you sir for pleading my case successfully.

Having been advised not to wait for an ambulance, my daughter drove me to ARI after I had been given analgesic so that I was able to get in the car.

I was admitted to Ward 208 where a scan later that day showed I needed  an emergency operation which would happen early the next morning.

I was visited by the anaesthetist, Mr Hunter. Thank you for your caring, quiet manner and reassurance which took away much of the fear.

In High Dependency Unit for two days - Brooke, Pamela and the night nurse, a big thank you for your outstanding care!

I was then moved to Ward 206.

From the most senior to most junior, all nursing staff worked like Trojans and delivered nursing care which could not have been better and despite their heavy workload, took time to reassure and instruct this elderly patient when she needed help. They were simply the best! 

All the auxiliary staff were equally pleasant.

Management need to look at the sanitary arrangements. One toilet between 6 patients with colorectal issues was not pleasant with sometimes 6 or more containers on the floor. A separate place to leave these is needed.

The ward itself was extremely warm with inadequate ventilation with fans having to be supplied.

Third Story:

Ward 106A Coronary Care Unit, September 2025

The highest standard of nursing care at all times. The only name I remember is Hannah but there were others equally good and their kindness and patience were very much appreciated.

I would also like to thank the medical teams here and in A&E for all they did for me during my stay. In my case the emergency care was immediate and saved my life.

Thank you too to the senior paramedic and ambulance crew who attended at my home.

Thank you is not enough but be assured my family and I could not be more grateful for all the care I have received over the past 6 months and are spreading the good things about ARI which we have experienced.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Erin Trumper, Senior Charge Nurse, Cardiology, Coronary Care Unit, NHS Grampian 3 weeks ago
Erin Trumper
Senior Charge Nurse, Cardiology, Coronary Care Unit,
NHS Grampian
Submitted on 24/10/2025 at 11:08
Published on Care Opinion at 11:08


picture of Erin Trumper

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. Your kind words mean a great deal to all of us at ARI, especially the team in CCU 106a.

We’ll make sure your feedback is shared with everyone involved in your care. Messages like yours remind us why we do what we do and help boost morale across the service.

Wishing you continued recovery and good health, and thank you again for helping spread the good things about ARI.

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Response from Stephanie W, Patient Experience Officer, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 2 weeks ago
Stephanie W
Patient Experience Officer, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24

Manages patient feedback

Submitted on 30/10/2025 at 08:26
Published on Care Opinion at 08:26


picture of Stephanie W

Dear elltea,

Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion. I note there are a few services tagged to your story, I reply on behalf of NHS 24.

I was sorry to learn you have had cause to contact the 111 service on a few occasions. It sounds like you have been through a very challenging few months and it is very much appreciated that you have taken the time to express your gratitude to the services involved in your care.

Please accept my apologies for the time taken to access the 111 service. Unfortunately, due to the demand on our service there are occasions when wait times can be extended, however this is not the experience we wish for our callers and we are working hard trying to reduce this as much as possible. It is great to hear that your onward care was arranged as a result of your calls to 111.

If you have any feedback specifically related to your call to the 111 service, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at Patient.Experience@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk and I would be pleased to review this for you.

Thank you again for sharing your experience.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

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Response from Marie Kennedy, Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs, Scottish Ambulance Service 2 weeks ago
Marie Kennedy
Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs,
Scottish Ambulance Service
Submitted on 30/10/2025 at 09:30
Published on Care Opinion at 09:30


picture of Marie Kennedy

Hi elltea, thank you for sharing your experiences across several occasions.

I see that your feedback relates to a number of services. I'm responding on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

We’re delighted to hear that our crews provided professional and respectful care when you needed urgent assistance. It’s reassuring to know they helped you feel supported during what must have been a very worrying time. Your comments about their professionalism and courtesy will mean a great deal to them.

We also acknowledge the outstanding efforts of NHS 24 and the teams at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary who continued your care. It’s clear that many staff worked hard to ensure you received the treatment you needed.

If you’d like us to share your story directly with the ambulance crew, please email sas.feedback@nhs.scot with your name, date, time and address of the call out, and include your Care Opinion username so we can match your feedback and pass it on.

Thank you again for taking the time to write such a detailed account.

Best,

Marie

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Response from Fiona Carnegie, Senior Charge Nurse, Surgical Division, NHS Grampian 2 weeks ago
Fiona Carnegie
Senior Charge Nurse, Surgical Division,
NHS Grampian
Submitted on 30/10/2025 at 12:02
Published on Care Opinion at 12:02


Dear elltea

Thank you so much for your kind words about our nursing and auxiliary staff. It means a great deal to hear that their dedication, compassion, and professionalism made such a positive impact during your stay. We will be sure to share your feedback with the team, it will mean a lot to them.

We’re also grateful for your constructive comments regarding the ward environment. We sincerely apologise for the discomfort caused by the limited toilet facilities and the warm conditions. Your comments will be passed onto the management team. We understand how challenging it must have been, especially for patients with colorectal issues. We will ensure that staff check the toilet facilities more frequently to help maintain cleanliness and uphold patient dignity. We recognise the ward has been uncomfortably warm at times. Work has already begun to improve ventilation, by installing a window that opens to help regulate the temperature more effectively.

Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve the care and comfort we provide. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience.

Kind regards

Fiona

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