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Stroke - I don't think they understood the gravity

Posted By festivityrg74

"Stroke - I don't think they understood the gravity"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a service user),

After suffering 2 previous strokes I knew that something wasn't right when my speech slurred and I couldn't hold a sentence. My husband drove me to Craigavon emergency department. When we arrived only one person on reception at a desk marked appointment. They were dealing with someone who had an appointment in another department. I interrupted their conversation to say I needed urgent help. I don't think they understood the gravity of the issue and did not seem to be trained to respond. When the other staff member came back from their lunch my husband went and explained the situation. From then on everything was good. I went into triage and the nurse notified stroke doctor immediately. From then on all tests and CT scan went well and the doctor stayed through whole process until my discharge. Very highly recommend. 

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Responses

Response from Jill Green, Ward Manager, Emergency Department, Craigavon Area Hospital, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust last week
Jill Green
Ward Manager, Emergency Department, Craigavon Area Hospital, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 20/01/2026 at 12:32
Published on Care Opinion at 12:32

Good morning,

Thank you for taking the time to post about your experience in ED. I am glad to hear that your experience with the nurses and doctors was good and that you got the appropriate care and treatment.

I will share your kind words with the team.

Thank you again and I hope you are recovering well

Best Wishes

Sister Green

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Response from Mark Hamilton, Service Administrator, Emergency Department & Ward Clerks, Southern Health and Social Care Trust yesterday
Mark Hamilton
Service Administrator, Emergency Department & Ward Clerks,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 27/01/2026 at 17:01
Published on Care Opinion at 17:01

Good afternoon

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience of attending Craigavon Area Hospital Emergency Department.

I am sorry to read about the concern you experienced on arrival at the department and understand how worrying this must have been for you and your husband.

Your feedback relating to the initial contact at reception has been noted and taken seriously.

While administrative staff are not clinically trained, it is essential that any concerns raised by patients or relatives — particularly where symptoms are causing distress — are escalated immediately to nursing staff.

This feedback has been shared with the administrative team to reinforce expectations around recognising urgency, timely escalation, and providing reassurance at the first point of contact.

Thank you again for highlighting this, and for taking the time to provide feedback which helps us to improve our service.

Kind regards

Mark

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