"An emergency appointment with a GP at York Hospital."

I am an extremely nervous patient who has a phobia of illness and hospitals and I try to avoid both at all costs. I am from Luton but I was working away in York for a couple of weeks when I started to feel poorly, my lungs were burning and I had the urge to cough. Naturally, for me, I panicked and wanted to find out what was wrong immediately.

Firstly, I called 111 to get some advice and see what they would suggest. The service was fantastic. I had terrible phone signal and they did everything they could to reach me again and they booked me an appointment at a time that suited my work hours without hesitation, all the while being really understating about my anxiety. 

The second part of my experience was arriving at the hospital that evening and discovering that I had to wait in A&E as it was the same waiting room for booked appointments with doctors. Needless to say, I panicked and there were a lot of tears and shaking. The woman at reception that I spoke to was understanding and told me whatever I did, I must not leave so that I could hear my name being called out and that I was in a safe place. When I was called by the doctor, at exactly the time my appointment was booked for - once again, fantastic service - the receptionist gave me a wink and a smile which showed me she recognised my fears and that I was right to trust her.

The last part of the experience was the appointment itself. As I was so anxious and distracted with my own fears and symptoms, I do not remember the name of my doctor and I am so disappointed about that. He was absolutely amazing. He spoke honestly and directly but was extremely calm and understanding, which as people who suffer with panic and anxiety will know, is the best combination. He listened to me and did not patronise or question how I was feeling. I walked away feeling reassured and relieved.

I can’t thank York Hospital’s staff and the NHS enough because these experiences really effect and matter to people like me and I’m so thankful it was positively.