"Learning Disability & Autism Nurses Go Above &..."

My kiddo has been an Alder Hey 'regular' since birth. Lately she has developed a phobia of needles and blood tests. She is also autistic. I was at a loss re what to do as her fear kept getting worse, but she needed regular blood tests. At some point there was even a discussion of what we might have to do if we can't do blood tests because of how panicked this kiddo was. A few months ago I contacted the learning disability nurses to ask if they had any ideas or if they could do anything to help. Not only did they arrange for quieter waiting rooms for my little girl, but they contacted her clinic, rearranged the timing of her bloods to make it easier for her and they were there at her blood test appointment - with lots of toys, distraction techniques and endless patience to help her through! They arranged - with the equally amazing phlebotomist (!)- for my little girl to have a much longer bloods slot and they tried everything they could to make the experience better for her. She still got scared, but it was soooo much better than before for her and the support didn't even end there! They also arranged to offer support at her clinic appointment and have arranged for ongoing support for bloods! I have been truly blown away by this service and by the amazingly dedicated and creative people who work there! A massive thank you also to the phlebotomist who took nearly an hour of her time to work with endless, endless patience and kindness with the learning disability nursing team to help my little girl! A big big thank you also for the ever understanding, always incredible endocrine department that patiently and flexibly accommodated us when we were late for clinic because of all the bloods mayhem! Thank you doesn't seem enough for any of these dedicated professionals and all they do!