"It felt so reassuring to know I was in safe hands"

I wanted to take a moment to share my heartfelt appreciation following my Cardiology outpatient appointment with Dr Coburn in Antrim Area Hospital, as it was honestly one of the most positive healthcare experiences I’ve ever encountered.

From the moment the consultation began, Dr Coburn showed both an understanding of my condition and acknowledgment of its impact on daily life and it felt so reassuring to know I was in safe hands with someone who clearly had expertise in the condition, having also cited ongoing development/research in the area.

It was also clear that Dr Coburn had spent time prior to my appointment preparing and reading up on my notes/tests - something which did not go unnoticed or unappreciated, particularly as I am acutely aware of the pressures and time constraints of a busy Consultant role. Similarly, I know from the MyCare app that my appointment was allocated 10 minutes, and yet not once did I feel rushed - instead, time was taken to listen to my symptoms, give multiple opportunities to ask questions and explain my plan of care.

After years of experiences where I’ve felt like a bother to people, dismissed or even misunderstood, the compassion and patience shown by Dr Coburn made me leave my appointment feeling totally heard, validated,  and supported.

I suppose this is a very long-winded way of saying thank you to Dr Coburn for the lasting impact this appointment has had in making me feel seen and heard, and I felt it was important to put forward a formal compliment to ensure he is recognised for being not only highly knowledgeable, but also being someone who clearly cares about their patients. It’s rare to come across someone who balances expertise with such warmth and humanity, and I believe that such an individual is worthy of the highest praise and recognition.