"A preop assessment visit to ARI"

I was given very clear directions and instructions about where and when and despite a journey of nearly two hours I made my appointment on the dot.

The reception staff quickly confirmed I was in the right place and asked me to complete a questionnaire. Having done that I don't believe I sat for more than five minutes before the first nurse took me off for part 1 of the assessment - this was Brenda. She quickly put me at ease patiently explaining what she was going to do, what it entailed, how long it would take and what it was intended to tell them. I woud imagine that took twenty minutes or so then back to the waiting room where Eleanor collected me minutes later - I still haven't read a full page of the newspaper I had bought anticipating short periods of activity interspersed with long periods of boredom. Eleanor was equally professional and reassuring and again gave me the full what, why, how and when.

I never did know why they tap your chest when sounding it but I do now.

I was out the door within an hour and probably the most stressful part of the day  was the drive to and back.

A week later I was back into ARI for "minor surgery" - it wasn't minor to me but in the great scheme of things I can see how it would be classified as such.

I arrived at 07.30 and after completing initial meetings with the surgeons, anaesthetists and nursing staff was wheeched off at 09.30 for the operation.  Initially I had requested a general however after talking with the professionals I agreed to sedation + a local.

The sum total was that our #3 son collected me at 19.00hours and I was back under my own roof by 21.00. 

It's been a week now and I return to ARI to see if a skin graft is needed.

When I hear politicaians - usually those in opposition criticise the NHS and the level of service and I then have the experience I have just had a sometimes wonder are they suffering from "Ah'm nae happy unless ah'm unhappy" syndrome and do they really have genuine NHS experiences?

I couldn't have been looked after any better nor handled so personally and professionally with such empathy.

In as much that I could have I enjoyed the experience it could have been much, much worcester!!