"Quality medical attention from GP and Arbroath"

I contacted my medical practice to report a cyst under my armpit. The receptionist was understanding and helpful, offering me an appointment with one of the practice GPs. The cyst was examined by the GP and a request submitted for an ultrasound scan. I know this was done quickly as I received the scan appointment soon after.

In the interim period, the cyst became infected and swollen. I called my practice again and was given an appointment with a prescribing nurse. On the morning of this appointment the cyst began to leak puss. The nurse started to drain the puss, then decided to request the duty GP (another GP, not the original one above) to cut the cyst open to aid draining the puss. The GP did this and also removed the shell of the cyst via the small hole which had been cut in the cyst. The cyst was then dressed by the nurse, with the hole kept open so that the puss could continue to be drained. This procedure took place on a Wednesday. Before leaving I was booked in for another appointment on the following day (Thursday) to have the cyst drained and re-dressed.

This procedure was repeated on the Friday. At the Friday appointment the nurse arranged another appointment at Arbroath Infirmary for draining/re-dressing on Sunday. Thereafter, I attended my GP practice again on the following Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. By Friday, matters had improved greatly. My scan appointment was due on the following Monday. Thus the nurse again called in the GP who I originally saw and had requested the scan.

The GP examined the cyst, confirming he was happy that I did not require the scan to go ahead. At this point the nurse and the GP agreed that I should not require any further treatment. Since then the area affected by the cyst has continued to improve and I have not needed to return to my practice.

To sum up, over a 10 day period - from the point that the cyst burst until discharge - I had 7 appointments, being seen by 4 different nurses and 2 GPs. With the media still reporting that, in some areas of the UK, patients are finding it very difficult to see a GP face to face, the service which I received in Montrose and Arbroath was first class and has to be commended. All staff involved - GPs, nurses and receptionists - gave excellent service, showing care and interest in resolving my medical problem. I am very grateful to every one of them.