"I will never forget the kindness of all the individuals"

I broke my elbow and bones in my arm after falling down the stairs vacuuming! My partner brought me into A&E at the Victoria hospital in Fife. I was attended to extremely quickly and cannot believe the most amazing, thoughtful, compassionate, reassuring care I received. I apologise as I cannot remember all of the names of the professionals and health care workers that helped me, but some I do remember such as Malcolm the A&E nurse who with his humour and knowledge completely put me at ease, made me laugh and helped me get through the initial painful part of the process! Then there were the excellent radiographers who despite my pain and involuntary screams were so patient, kind and gentle trying to get my x-rays done! Jo the orthopaedic registrar was another friendly, knowledgeable man who set my arm in its first cast and again talked me through the process and put my mind at ease. 

I was then transferred up to ward 33 to await my transfer to Edinburgh RI. Whilst there for 2 days, I cannot believe the genuine kindness and care of the people on the ward. Dr Gary (can’t remember his surname) was just the loveliest man who was also an expert blood taker with great chat!! My student nurse Nicole was fantastic and will be a great nurse, and the countless other nurses and nursing auxiliaries who helped me to the bathroom(!), kept my pain at bay with medication, kept me cheered with their chat despite being rushed off their feet, truly amazing and fantastic staff!

I then had to travel to Edinburgh RI where I was due for surgery. Again, ward 108 was extremely welcoming with nurse Alex and NA Steph working tirelessly over 2 nights again keeping my pain under control whilst attending  to countless other patients, they were unflappable, professional and lovely.  The orthopaedic surgical team came and spoke with me at various points, and I was reassured I was in the best hands with Mr J Reid and Mr Mackenzie, both discussed my complex surgery with me beforehand. The anaesthetist also came and spoke with me before my surgery and was very reassuring. 

I don’t think many people relish being in hospital, let alone having surgery and all that it entails but it has been made such a memorable experience for the right reasons and that is down to the people. Without the unique, good humoured, expertise of all the staff I met this could have been a very different journey. I will never forget the kindness of all the individuals and am happy to report that my elbow is healing well thanks to the expert surgeons. 

The NHS is potentially facing a huge challenge amid the current covid-19 crisis but I have no doubt that every single professional that I met are representative of many more within the organisation that will handle this particular situation with aplomb, professionalism and the genuine kindness and compassion that I was afforded. 

I salute you all!!