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My diagnosis and treatment for kidney disease

Posted By Engaged Renal Patient

"My diagnosis and treatment for kidney disease"

About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Renal unit Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Renal and Transplant Services (Ward 4a, 4d)

(as the patient),

I staggered into Forth Valley Acute Assessment Unit in mid-December 2018, severely breathless, and was diagnosed with kidney failure by an excellent and very attentive doctor.  I was 'blue-lighted' to the Renal Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and admitted into the care of the renal and, for the first few days, intensive care teams.  My treatment throughout has been superlative - from intensive care, to blood plasma replacement to initial dialysis, to drug treatment as I move from the acute into the chronic phase of the disease. 

I especially want to mention the approach taken by the team of renal consultants at the Queen Elizabeth and Forth Valley - the same team covers both.  It is dedicated, friendly, grown-up and allows me, the patient, to be as involved as I want to be.  In my case, that is a lot.  I am an academic researcher in the healthcare field by day, and I am very familiar with the concept of Realistic Medicine in NHS Scotland.  I think the renal consultants looking after me exemplify the principles of Realistic Medicine in practice.

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Responses

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 5 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 12/03/2019 at 09:51
Published on Care Opinion at 10:20

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Engaged Renal Patient

I am sure that this would have been a very frightening experience for you and I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your story.

I am pleased to read about the care you have received and that you have been fully involved in decisions your care and treatment.

We will share you post with the staff in Renal Unit, who will be delighted to receive such positive feedback.

Best wishes

Nicole

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Response from NHS Forth Valley 5 years ago
NHS Forth Valley

Submitted on 19/03/2019 at 12:07
Published on Care Opinion at 12:09

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I am aware of how frightening this can be especially when you are being looked after in different hospitals. I am pleased to here that you felt involved in the discussions around your care and treatment.

I will pass the feedback onto to the renal unit staff, they will be absolutely delighted to hear your feedback.

Best wishes

Jane Rodriguez

Clinical Nurse Manager

Renal Unit

FVRH

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Response from Elaine Burt, Chief Nurse, Regional Services, NHSGGC 5 years ago
Elaine Burt
Chief Nurse, Regional Services,
NHSGGC

Submitted on 20/03/2019 at 08:37
Published on Care Opinion at 10:28

Dear Engaged Renal Patient

Thank you for taking the time to post this very kind feedback, especially given the events around your recent unexpected admission.

I was very pleased to hear that you felt your care and treatment within the QEUH Renal Unit had been of a high standard and staff were fully committed to Realistic Medicine. I will share your story widely with the staff across the unit who will very much appreciate your kind comments.

Best Wishes

Elaine Burt

Chief Nurse - Regional Services

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Response from Catherine Labinjoh, Consultant Cardiologist & Clinical Lead for Cardiology, Cardiology, NHS Forth Valley 5 years ago
Catherine Labinjoh
Consultant Cardiologist & Clinical Lead for Cardiology, Cardiology,
NHS Forth Valley

Hospital doctor, specialising in Heart Disease

Submitted on 20/03/2019 at 10:46
Published on Care Opinion at 11:36

picture of Catherine Labinjoh

Dear Engaged Renal Patient,

I was sorry to hear about your recent illness with kidney failure. But I was pleased to read about your positive experiences in Forth Valley and the QEUH, and especially to hear how involved you felt in your own care. It clear that that really matters to you and it's very important to most of our patients.

As you probably know, person-centred care and shared decision-making are at the heart of Realistic Medicine, and we want to see everyone involved in providing healthcare doing so by embracing the Realistic Medicine approach. It's great to see Renal Medicine leading the way with their attitude and behaviours.

It sounds as though you are much better but you mention a chronic phase to your condition, so I hope that continues to be managed as best as possible and that your experiences are just as positive around your future care. I'd be interested to hear if Realistic Medicine is as visible in that chronic phase of your care, as you start to spend more time at home. I do hope so.

Wishing you well

Catherine

Clinical Lead for Realistic Medicine, NHS Forth Valley

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Update posted by Engaged Renal Patient (the patient)

Thank you for the responses - much appreciated. In response to Dr. Labinjoh's question - yes, I am now well into the long term chronic phase, and seeing the renal team regularly at Forth Valley. The principles of Realistic Medicine are very evident. Medications, options for responding to changes in the key markers, and future treatment possibilities are all discussed in depth. Contextual information and perspective are freely given when I ask for them. I continue to feel fully involved.

I would like to add that the whole team at Forth Valley Renal Unit work hard to make each visit pleasant and efficient: the nurses and support staff, and Pamela and Kate - who run Reception, manage clinic appointments (and I'm sure lots of other things) with constructive friendliness.

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