"A pair of legends"

A few months ago  I had undergone oesophageal motility and ph studies at Hairmyres.

From the day I got the letter and information leaflet I was unsure about the appointment and why I had been sent it. I phoned the department and got a charming man to answer my questions and he was able to help clear things up for me and let me ask questions and discuss my reservations about the appointment. He suggested I come into the appointment and meet the staff and discuss it in person and take things from there and that if I was not up for it we did not have to go through with the appointment.

When I came in for the appointment he came out to the waiting area to greet me and introduced himself as Gordon and took me to meet the girl who would do the test; this was Michelle.

As discussed on the phone, we spent time talking things through and Michelle put me at ease and was amazingly patient and calm with me. She listened to me and showed real compassion. We decided to carry out the test and Michelle explained everything and talked me through it stage by stage. She was able to make an upsetting and scary process easy going and kept everything at my pace

I do not know if I would have even made it to attempt the test without Michelle and Gordon. They both made me feel very comfortable and understood something that sometimes is missing in today's NHS.

Staff skills

Involved in decisions

Staff attitude

Treatment

Seeing the whole me

Being listened to

Introductions