"My thanks to an amazing team"

Following a fast track referral from my doctor I attended a clinic appointment with Miss Galaal gynaecologist surgeon and one of the two Emmas oncology nurses.  I was extremely nervous and worried but put at my ease by Emma and reassured by a very positive and factual consultation with Miss Galaal.  I felt I was treated with honesty and respect a lot of my worries were alleviated.  Following an internal examination it was decided a full hysterectomy would be carried out following the removal of an ovarian mass.  I was given various leaflets and importantly various telephone numbers.  I left obviously still worried about the diagnosis but reassured by the people dealing with my treatment.  Some days later I took up the offer and rang the other Emma with a list of questions which she went through patiently with me and once again I left the call feeling reassured.  My appointment at the pre assessment clinic was another centre of  excellence, the people I spoke to were friendly and reassuring and I again felt in safe hands.  The day of the surgery went smoothly Paula the person dealing with pre op neccessities compression socks, form filling etc was lovely and the surgical team she delivered me to were professional and reassuring, canulas inserted with no pain and I was kept informed at each stage. Following surgery I was returned to Eden Ward where my experience was not so happy.  The nurses and health care were mostly lovely dealing with staff shortages and shortages generally (not enough pillows for god's sake) but it didn't seem at all joined up no-one could seem to answer a question, I'll be with you in a minute required two or three attempts by my husband before anyone materialised, buzzers were going lengthy times before being answered and a general feeling by me that I was a cog that would be dealt with adequately but then I had a husband who filled my water jug and bought in small bites for me to eat as the food provided was appalling. Following my discharge from the hospital one of the Emmas rang me to ask how I was and arranged to ring me back with the results from the path lab on my mass.  I duly spoke to the other Emma who gave me this information.  All in all this, in all of the important areas, was an excellent experience from the diligence of the referring GP to the reassuring pre surgery experience the lovely anaethetists and the excellent surgery of Miss Galaal and the support of the Emmas was invaluable not just the actual contact but the knowledge that there was someone I could contact and talk through any worries if I needed to.  So thank you everyone