"Carpal Tunnel Decompression surgery"

After some considerable wait for my surgery, unfortunately one of the downsides to the COVID pandemic, I was contacted before Christmas to ask if I could attend my surgery just over a week later. I should state at this point, I am profoundly deaf so dealing with phone calls and face to face meetings in masks is not the easiest thing for me to do. 

With super efficiency, this call was followed by another to arrange my drive through COVID test a few days later at ARI. Both the ladies that called were super understanding, making sure noted were made regarding my hearing issues.

On the day of the COVID test, the test centre was really easy to find. The staff member that performed the COVID test was not only extremely professional but extremely funny, making a not so nice test more than bearable.

My next stop was Woodend DoSA for the operation. The setup currently in use, we all arrived and were suitably socially distanced, I think that was Ward 7. The staff efficiently arranged our pre-op checks and consulting interviews. After this we all started to go one by one to have our appointments. Sure, for some there will be an element of a long wait but the letter clearly informed us that we should expect to be there all day.

During my stay in the ward, the staff were absolutely fantastic, nothing was too much bother. Eventually it was my turn to pop down to the theatre. Again, another fantastic team there that were not only very efficient but also very calming and willing to be patient of my hearing loss in a room that is quite noisy with the air conditioning going. Obviously, Carpal Tunnel Decompression is a quick op....I was so relaxed there, I would rather have that done with the Woodend team than visit the dentist! I then was transferred to ward 9/10 for discharge the same day. Again, fantastic nursing staff there too.

After writing all of the above, none of that really matters.....what matters is that the whole team, from the ladies phoning me, the COVID testing team, pre-op, theatre, post-op are all an absolutely fantastic credit to NHS Grampian. All the staff gave the same level of care and compassion. In such difficult times during the COVID pandemic they have obviously strived to continue to deliver safe patient care and in doing so have delivered way above any expectations I could have thought possible. Whilst it will be a while before my wrist returns to normal, it already feels way better. Thank you all for my Christmas pressie correcting the issue.