"Wonderful staff working under pressure"

I was taken to a&e via ambulance with suspected Sepsis one April Wednesday in the early afternoon.  When we arrived at Airedale the staff were clearly incredibly busy but also very attentive.  

I waited for what seemed like a very short time before being taken to an a&e trolley into an A&E treatment/diagnosis area. It was around 2pm.

From that point, people were constantly checking me, taking bloods, checking blood pressure, asking how I felt. Everything was done so quickly.  I had low blood pressure so was attached to a drip.

When there wasn't someone with me or someone popping by with an update, I was in awe watching the staff running around, working so hard and keeping good humour. They quite clearly have a very difficult job and at times deal with either very difficult or very rude patients. 

I was very quickly sent for a chest x-ray which revealed a really nasty case of pneumonia. I was told I would be taken to a ward to start treatment.

This was probably the worst part - it was quite a few hours before a bed became available but I was just happy to be in a safe place with people helping me.

I started being sick whilst in bay 16 and one staff member came over to check if I was ok - I think this was about 7pm.  She wondered if it was because I was hungry and did I want her to get me a sandwich. I said I needed gluten free but that I could try a banana if there was one - she was so incredibly sweet and gave me her own banana from her lunchbox! I just thought that was such a sweet gesture and felt really touched. I cannot remember her name but I am so very grateful to her.

At 8:20 a bed became available in the AAU.  I was incredibly impressed with this ward - it's very modern and clean.

Again, as soon as I had the bed, people were checking me again. And no-one assumed anything - the asked sometimes the same questions but they were very thorough.  And again the staff were quite clearly unbelievably busy but remained calm, good mannered and attentive. 

Whilst at AAU I could not fault anything - every single member of staff that I came into contact with made me feel so looked after and so valued. I cannot praise them enough.

I thought the choice of gluten free food was really fantastic and I had been slightly worried.   The food wasn't great but I was so very grateful to have it - I've been to hospitals elsewhere where the only option was to go and queue up from a packet sandwich and that's it.  

I was discharged possibly a little too early and sadly readmitted a day or so later but again, the staff were fantastic - I felt so safe and looked after - their kindness will stay with me forever. We are so lucky to have the NHS. Thank you.