"Care, Communication, Performance"

I wish to make known publicly the superb care shown to me, the excellent communication skills demonstrated with me, and the consummate clinical performance delivered to me by a  senior podiatrist called Rachel at the Bradbury Health Centre in Belfast in February.

Rachel excels at all the things, as summarised above, that patients want and need from their clinical carers.  She greeted me warmly, listened attentively as I described an ankle abrasion I'd suffered a couple of days previously and then treated it with practised expertise, explaining to me what she was using and why, as well as asking me if I was okay with her using particular elements of the treatment.  This made me feel that I mattered to Rachel and that she cared for me.  That was a good feeling.

Rachel then treated each of my toenails with absolute concentration, explaining what she was seeing and finding throughout the process.  As well as Rachel's complete attention to detail, what also impressed me was her extraordinary awareness of even the smallest signs of discomfort anywhere in my body, for example when I breathed in audibly on one occasion or tensed up momentarily on another.  On each occasion Rachel stopped and asked me if I was okay, before proceeding when I assured her that I was.  This is care of the utmost quality.

I departed the Bradbury Health Centre deeply grateful that patients in Belfast are able to benefit clinically and in every other way from someone as special as Rachel.