"care and compassion"

I entered the A&E department at Altnagelvin Hospital on a Thursday evening in November and stayed overnight. The care I received from the doctors and nurses was outstanding. On Friday morning I was admitted to Ward 3, where I remained until Sunday evening. My experience there was profoundly touching. The level of care and compassion I received was beyond anything I thought possible. Every nurse and caregiver treated patients with exemplary dignity and respect. I witnessed empathy at its highest level; the nurses took time to listen, helped patients express how they felt, and never judged. I was throughly impressed by their endurance, spending 12- hour shifts on their feet, constantly moving between one patient and another. I can only imagine how many steps they take during a shift.

In addition, I want to praise their resilience and sense of humour. I saw their persistence when handling a patient who was reluctant to take their medication. The nurses’ good humour brought smiles to everyone’s faces. I only wish I had recorded all of their names.

But what stood out most was the care I received at the very end of my stay. I was especially moved by the dynamic between nurses Aine and Breanne. They were energetic, lively, and humorous and at times seemed to share a friendly rivalry. When I left Ward 3 on Sunday evening I was convinced these individuals have truly found their calling. I felt so grateful for the experience that I knew that I had to take the time to express my appreciation.