"Life-Changing Care"

Cleanliness

I've just returned home from my second stay in Forth Valley Royal Hospital in four weeks. After a rapid deterioration in my Crohn's, whereby I was vomiting in excess of twenty times per day, I sought advice from  my GP. 

Staff attitude

Environment

Seeing the whole me

Introductions

Involved in decisions

Being listened to

Nurses

Care staff

Ambulance staff

Doctor

Other staff

The team there have been superb in managing my care, and diligently arrived at my home to administer a much-needed antiemetic. After a day of little or no change, my GP arranged for me to be admitted to FVRH. I  would like to thank Drs Roemmle and Boddington for their amazing support, both at this time and throughout my time with the practice.

On both occassions, I was taken to hospital by a superb ambulance crew from SAS - apologies, I didn't note their names, but they were friendly, supportive, and made two stressful journeys very easy.

On both occassions, I was admitted to the Acute Assessment Unit and thereafter to Ward B32. Without exception, every member of staff who looked after me was kind, personable, generous, supportive, and the very epitome of person-centred care. 

While I offer apologies for  anyone I have missed, I would like to say a huge thank you to the following:

AAUEilidh, Maria, Elizabeth, Chloe, James, Lynette, Jodie, and Nicola.

I'd like  to say a special thank you  to Dagmara, who clearly spotted that I wasn't at my best and spent some time with me to lift my spirits (and shared a very meaningful quote with me). 

B32

Betsy, you run a stellar ward! Bridget, Claire, Sarah, Trisha, Monika, Adele,  Charlotte,  Shirley, Kevin, Fiona, the amazing Dawn, Karen, Jodie, Jamie, Teighan, Heidi, Carol Anne, Nicole, Jeanette, Grant, Maddy, Petts - each and every one of you supported my through my recovery and helped  me get back on  track with good humour, kindness, and respect. Thank you all. 

I also wanted to say sorry to Tracy on ward B32 for scaring her in the night! The dose of steroids I'm currently on is wreaking havoc with my sleep, and when Tracy came round to do obs one night, I nearly jumped out of my skin, terrifying her! Sorry Tracy - hope things are a bit quieter now that you've got rid of me! :-)

Finally, I wanted to say a massive thank  you to Jane on ward B32. Jane absolutely went above and beyond to support me. Whether it was with a kind word, a joke, or time taken to patiently discuss my fears around cannulas and injections, The  time Jane spent with me discussing my injection phobia was truly life changing. Jane always helped make a long day that little bit more enjoyable. Thank  you for everything. 

Throughout  my stay, the hospital was clean, the food was excellent  (good  veggie choices and the soup was superb -  so much so  if they release a recipe book, I'm buying!) - top  marks  to everyone involved. 

To everyone involved in my care, from my GP  surgery, to the amazing crews from SAS, to the staff in AAU and B32 - thank you all for everything  you did for me.  Currently on the road to a good and sustainaned recovery  -  I  couldn't have done it without you. 

Food