"I have never felt in safer hands"

Last Friday I came into A& E with pains in my chest. Despite this I still had over a 12 hour wait in the ED in which I only had interactions with 2 members of the nursing team, I felt forgot about and anxious about what may happen if I wasn't looked at sooner.

After these 12 hours and an ECG the staff decided that they were going to admit me to be monitored and I found this very reassuring. As there were no beds in the Cardiology ward I was taken to AMU where I stayed for 17 hours. This ward was so uncomfortable and was the least pleasant part of my whole experience, I could get no rest with police coming in and out every hour, I was never so grateful to see a porter to take me up to 1 North.

The 2 porters were extremely kind and we made good conversation which put me at ease during my journey up to 1 North. Now in 1 North I have never felt in safer hands. The nursing staff up here are first class and cannot do enough to help me out despite them being run off their feet. The beds are very comfortable and I like the social interaction in which the ward setting offers me.

I feel safe seeing all the staff in their PPE as I know I am at minimal risk to getting COVID-19 and this is very reassuring. One thing I would say is that the doctors may need to be in communication a lot more. After an experience I had yesterday, where one doctor was telling me one thing and another 5 minutes later was saying the opposite. This left me very confused as a patient and I was anxious as to who was caring for me in the best way.

Thankfully I raised this issue of uncertainty with the nurse and they were able to get it sorted which was comforting to know all staff were on the same page with regards my care. Other than that the service and care I have received has been outstanding and I found it so encouraging to see staff doing a job which they clearly enjoy very much.