"Exceptional care"

I attended A&E but was discharged as they were not worried. After little improvement, I then returned to A&E the following weekend on the advice of 111 when I developed double vision in addition to the previous symptoms. This time I was told almost straight away after seeing the doctor in A&E that I wouldn't be leaving until they had an answer. He gave me a very thorough examination and my husband and I were so relieved to be taken seriously. 

I was then introduced to a doctor named Charlotte, based on EAU3 who again gave me a thorough examination and decided to admit me to the EAU3 unit overnight so that she could oversee my care the following day. She arranged for a number of different tests to take place quickly and thoroughly and they managed to find the cause of the problem, which it turned out was a dural leak, causing hypotension in my head. I remained in EAU3 for 3 nights and over that time Charlotte made sure that I was thoroughly investigated, informed and looked after throughout. She even went out of her way on her day off the ward to come down a number of times to do a lumbar puncture and to keep me in the loop regarding my progress. 

After a worrying week and our experience the previous weekend of feeling like we were wasting the hospital's time, both I and my family were extremely grateful to receive such comprehensive attention and care from Charlotte, and to be communicated with so considerately doing what we believe was going over and above what she was expected to do. When I left the hospital this time I felt confident that I knew what to expect moving forward and that I would be looked after if symptoms continued. 

I would also like to mention Dr Baird who I also found to be both attentive, and considerate in the way he communicated with me. 

I would just like to say a huge thank you in particular to Charlotte, but also to Dr Baird and to the Doctor who I met in triage that day, for putting my mind at rest, taking my symptoms seriously and for looking after me so well over the few days I was in. 

Being listened to

Explanations