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Care Opinion

Asthma Care

Posted By c-jay

"Asthma Care"

About: General Practices in Grampian NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service)

(as a service user),

I moved into Aberdeen in September 2016. Before I moved to Aberdeen, I had had some minor breathing issues. Nothing overly concerning, but enough to encourage me to make a doctors appointment. This did not  go very well, and I gave up and continued to live with my problems. 6 months after moving to Aberdeen, and to NHS Grampian my activity levels had increased, however i noticed that my fitness levels instead of getting better had gotten worse. I was out of breath walking the same route i walked daily, I was swimming 4 times per week and not improving so I booked an appointment at Old Aberdeen Medical Practice. To cut a long story short, I was diagnosed asthmatic one year ago this month. Since then its been a case of trying different inhalers and strengths to find one thats suitable. Throughout the process, the asthma nurse I have been dealing with, Gillian, has been incredible. I could not fault her. She has put me at ease at every appointment, been incredibly supportive and taught me so much. I genuinely feel like she cares about me which is something that was unfortunately missing from my last doctors surgery. I know I can contact her anytime for advice or an appointment or just a chat if I'm struggling at all. She is a credit to the surgery.

Moving on to this past Saturday, I had developed a cough on the Wednesday. It was painful, but otherwise I had no symptoms. No fatigue, aches or pains, or temperature. I ate and drank perfectly normally. Around 10pm I started to feel ill. My temperature had shot to 39 degrees. I took paracetamol and waited a while. 90 minutes later my temperature had reached 39.1 instead of going down. I couldn't breathe and my reliever inhalers weren't helping at all, and so I called NHS24, who, after a while, advised that I attend hospital.

I had to take a taxi as I was unable to drive myself in, and have no nearby family. The doctor that I saw through out-of-hours was wonderful. By this stage I had used my reliever inhaler again (multiple times) and it was very slowly beginning to help. I could breathe a little better. I was diagnosed as having an asthma attack brought on by a chest infection. Both problems were treated, and I was sent home and advised to rest. 

On Monday I contacted my surgery, I explained the situation and the receptionist spoke to Gillian, who arranged for me to attend an appointment on the Tuesday. I have a follow up appointment next week just to check I am ok. I am not 100% recovered yet but I am well on the way to being better. 

I am so grateful that the NHS has people like Gillian, who still genuinely care and have a natural ability to put patients at ease.

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Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 6 years ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 26/02/2018 at 17:48
Published on Care Opinion at 19:04

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear c-jay,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Your story was lovely to read and I’m sure your kind words will mean even more to Gillian – who sounds like a wonderful asthma nurse worthy of your praise.

It can be disheartening when our concerns are not taken as seriously as they should be, and I suspect more often than we realise, this leads to people giving up seeking help when they need it. It can take a lot of energy to be persistent. However, your move to Aberdeen seems to have worked out well in that you have found the care, support and kindness needed to help with your asthma (and hopefully your swimming and walking too).

I’m also sorry to read about your asthma attack caused by your chest infection, this must have been a scary experience for you – especially with no family nearby to help. But it’s good to know that you received the help you needed and I’m sure my colleagues at NHS24 and GMED will be pleased to read your story too.

I will pass your comments on to the staff at Oldmachar Medical Practice and Gillian in particular.

I hope your recovery continues well.

Kirsten

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Response from Shona Lawrence, Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 6 years ago
Shona Lawrence
Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24

Submitted on 26/02/2018 at 19:25
Published on Care Opinion at 19:28

picture of Shona Lawrence

Dear c-jay

Thanks for sharing your story on Care Opinion. I was sorry to learn of your asthma diagnosis and I do wish you well. Your recent asthma attack brought on by your chest infection sound as though it was a worrying time for you. I am glad the Out of Hours service was able to help.

Your asthma nurse, Gillian, does indeed sound like a huge credit to the NHS. I note my colleague, Kirsten, from NHS Grampian, is going to pass your positive feedback to Gillian which is great. It is always good for staff to receive compliments as it reinforces for them the important role they have in caring for patients and how appreciated they are.

Thanks for mentioning your contact with NHS 24. Should you care to provide any specific feedback about your call us then I would be pleased to hear directly from you. I can be contacted at patientaffairs@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk or by telephone on 0141 337 4582.

I hope you are well on the road to recovery. Thanks again for taking the time to get in touch.


Take care

Shona

Shona Lawrence

NHS 24 Patient Affairs Manager

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Update posted by c-jay (a service user)

Thank you to you both. I am definitely recovering! Gillian is a wonderful nurse and person - but she’s based at Old Aberdeen Medical Practice in Sunnybank Road , not Oldmachar Medical Practice

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 6 years ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 27/02/2018 at 10:21
Published on Care Opinion at 11:22

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Thanks for noticing my mistake c-jay. My fingers clearly weren't connecting with my head (I was thinking Old Aberdeen but typed Oldmachar)! Your story has been forwarded to the correct practice.

Kirsten

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Response from Magdalena Polcik-Miniach, Service Manager, Out of Hours Primary Care (GMED), NHS Grampian 6 years ago
Magdalena Polcik-Miniach
Service Manager, Out of Hours Primary Care (GMED),
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 01/03/2018 at 15:54
Published on Care Opinion at 16:38

Dear c-jay,

Thank you for taking the time to share your very positive experience with NHS Grampian and NHS 24. I am so pleased to hear that you are provided with fantastic support from Gillian in Old Aberdeen Medical Practice.

I am also really pleased to hear that the GMED Practitioner provided you with excellent care. I will share your story within GMED, as such positive feedback is very valuable to all staff. I would also like to pass on your feedback to the Practitioner who saw you. If you wish to provide any specific detail to me in relation to your appointment, I would be happy to hear directly from you. I can be contacted on nhsg.gmedurgent@nhs.net.

I do hope that your recovery continues well.

With our very best wishes

Magda

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