"Lovely efficient staff"

My Mum was admitted to RD&E in the morning for tests and unfortunately due to not knowing if she had Covid (she tested negative) she was sent to Torridge Ward (Infectious ward) until the evening. Thankfully she was in a room on her own during this time.

We were met by a lovely Nurse (Lyn) who kindly went to the trouble of wearing a mask where my mum could see her mouth as she is deaf and once a room was found we were offered drinks and biscuits. After being told she would have an x-ray around 7:00 pm, at 8:30pm (still no x-ray) she was transferred to Okement Ward.

By this time my Mum was very tired and anxious, hoping to go home but still waiting for x-ray. As soon as we arrived on Okement ward it had a sense of calmness and everywhere looked spotlessly clean and organised. Immediately a sweet nurse came and took Mum's blood pressure and scanned her wristband, shortly after she came with drinks and biscuits and Navi came and chatted to us. She immediately showed empathy that Mum was tired and anxious and went to contact x-ray to find out what was happening.  Luckily she did this because they didn't have mum booked to be collected so a few minutes after this call a nice porter came and collected Mum and within a very short time she was back on the ward again (x-ray department was empty so she went straight in).

Navi came back and explained everything and told us she had relayed to other staff that we were waiting to see if Mum could go home (we don't live locally) so would appreciate knowing the results as soon as could be expected which is exactly what happened.

Navi gave us reassurance and showed kindness and compassion (as did Lyn on Torridge). If we had to have left Mum on Okement ward overnight in the care of Navi I can honestly say I would have been less anxious and concerned knowing she were in the care of such a lovely, efficient member of staff. Really makes a huge difference.