"Exceptional care"

I met Nichola for my annual flu vaccine appt at Oakley Health Centre. I asked her regarding my son, who has additional support needs and had not received a letter or text to attend a flu clinic. She advised me to contact NHS Fife immunisation and gave me their direct number to check his eligibility. I made the phone call and was advised he is entitled to have his vaccine and there were drop-in clinics at Lynebank Hospital.

With my son's additional support needs, he was extremely apprehensive as he is every year. He was anxious walking in and the clinic was in darkness. My mum had went with us to help support my son further due to his anxiety. She saw a door lit with staff only and said she’d knock. The door was opened by Nichola. We recognised each other and she told us the clinic wasn’t running, as it was in another location that day. My mum and I don’t drive and explained and Nichola told us the clinic is back on tomorrow.

I turned to speak to my son and explain, as Nichola said actually hold on a second as I do have someone here who could maybe vaccinate him. Her colleague, Rachel, came over and introduced herself and said if we could let her set up it would not be a problem to vaccinate my son. Both were exceptional with him, my mum and I cannot thank either of them enough.

They both said that is their job and what they are there for and anyone would do the same. But I believe that this is above and beyond their job roles and deserves recognition. They spent time reassuring my son, and the fact we were the only people in the clinic that day helped massively. The fact I didn’t have to explain the mistake and have my son anxious a further night, as a mum there are no words to express my gratitude.