"Great care, support and expertise"

I attended A&E on the recommendation of the out of hours Badger service. On arrival the ambulance area looked overflowing as was reception. I was quickly and efficiently taken through to the 'majors hub' with my wife. Even though I was feeling very unwell, with a blinding headache, light sensitivity and dry retching following an extended period of vomiting, it seemed every available space was taken by trolleys with patients. at 6.00-6.30pm it was not what I would have thought to be a busy time for A&E. Considering how busy it was I was seen incredibly quickly. This is not the place to give an account listing my treatment. The fact it included a CT scan, an overnight stay on ACU, assurance by overworked staff that we had done exactly the right thing in using their service even though the final diagnosis of 'food poisoning' was not as bad as they had feared is what is relevant.

Following my treatment I have nothing but respect and admiration for every member of the team I came in contact with throughout my stay. In the early hours of Friday morning when I was beginning to feel a little more human myself, I became even more aware of the skills of nursing and medical staff working 12.5 hour night shifts. Diagnosing, treating, patiently explaining and supporting patients and family members. The response was as varied as the range of ailments being treated. If the staff had employed any less skill or patience I am sure the atmosphere could have been far more hostile.

At 66 I am fortunate that I do not have to avail myself of many of the NHS services. Although I do seem to have made more demands in the last 5 years. I do not consider my self a very politically active member of the community but I do like to give praise where it is due. I could not have asked more from the NHS than that which was given to me at Good Hope hospital. As a country I hope that the recent political interest and promises to the NHS are held to account. Equally that essential related issues such as Adult Social care services are tackled promptly and in a unified manner. Not, as in the past, delayed because they are too difficult to handle. The pressure this failure was putting on Good Hope A&E team, throughout that Thursday night early Friday morning, could not have been more obvious. Yes, it will need to be paid for. Let us hope the time is right for these issues to be tackled!

My thanks to Good Hope staff