"Taking care of a stubborn patient"

As an NHS staff member myself I allowed my stubbornness to rule my common sense until I finally gave in a week into feeling poorly and requested an emergency GP appt.

I very rarely go to the GP, however, when I do, I tend to see a specific GP (where possible) till a case is followed through. I had naughtily attended my regular GP on Tuesday afternoon regarding a repeat prescription for another condition while stifling my other developing symptoms thinking I was being wise and only dealing with one complaint in an appt. I attended another GP for an emergency appt on the Friday afternoon and after some checks it became apparent that I was quite a bit poorlier than I was letting on (very high temp, tachycardic and high BP). The GP was concise, calm and understanding and referred me to be reviewed at Hairmyres Hospital ASAP.

On attendance to Hairmyres I was taken fairly quickly and triaged by Joe who repeated my observations and performed an ECG and took lots of bloods. He went out of his way to chat and joke with me and my husband and allowed me to be the patient and not a professional. Joe made a notable effort to speak to his colleagues and take me directly to the medical assessment unit without delay. 

In MAU I was greeted quickly by Dr Rachel who again had such a lovely manner and friendly demeanour and treated me as an active person in my own care. I was seen quickly at X-ray and my bloods came back to reveal early pneumonia.

I have never been so glad that my common sense prevailed over my “aw its fine - other people are worse off” mentality and I have never been prouder to be part of an NHS who care so deeply and treat patients as sensible individuals. 

 I, myself, have received feedback from this site on my own care for patients and would be delighted for all involved to be applauded for this evening. Thank you again.