"The staff were all calm and helpful with smiles on their faces"

I presented at A&E at Victoria Hospital Fife on a Saturday. The receptionist was very kind and friendly. While I was waiting in the waiting area it was being cleaned by 2 friend cleaners who chatted about the weather to keep my mind off the weakness in my right arm. There was other people waiting and it was getting busier, I was triaged by a kind nurse called Sarah, who explained I was to go back to the waiting room while she spoke to the doctor. 

I was called through to majors and asked to take a seat in a cubicle. The next nurse that came to review me was Ragan, and she checked my observations and did an ECG. She explained that all the questions were standard and put me at ease. I was offered glass of water and told that the doctor would be round to see me. While waiting I could hear the hustle and bustle and that the department was getting busier. There were several alerts and announcements that other traumas were arriving. Ragan came in again and put me at ease that I needed to be reviewed, she checked my observations again. 

I was then reviewed by, Dr Champaneria. He also put me at ease and explained what he was checking for. He said that he did not think it was a stroke but wanted to rule it out due to the weakness in my right arm. He explained that I would be moved to the observation ward to get bloods taken and a CT scan.

The nurse Emma in the Observation ward was very busy with what sounded like a very tricky patient but she remained calm and helpful. I was escorted through to the CT department which was busy but the staff remained friendly and explained the process. I was offered lunch (soup and sandwich) while I waiting for my CT and blood results to come back and be reviewed. Then Dr Champaneria came back to explain my results, follow up and discharge me home. 

I was very stressed and anxious during my visit to the hospital but the staff were all kind, caring and compassionate. They all worked together as a team and treated me with dignity and respect. The staff were all calm and helpful with smiles on their faces. 

I think that good care needs to be recognised and feel I received this during my visit.