"A recent debilitating illness."

I recently went through a medical condition which I can only describe as the worst physical ailment that I have ever experienced, and I am in my 60’s.

My condition started off as just a pain in my shoulder joints, but very quickly progressed into severe pain and minimum mobility in both shoulders, and swelling and stiffness in both of my hands which became so painful and debilitating, I was struggling to do simple things like getting dressed, and washing myself. Sleep had also become a major problem, as the pain was so intense I was only able to sleep for very short periods, that’s if, I was able to sleep at all.

This condition went on for over four months, getting worse, and being further exacerbated by Covid related conditions which affected everyone at the time.

Despite being treated with various painkillers, I was in constant pain throughout that period, but, I have to say, that at certain points during that time, the pain was so unbearable, I felt that I didn’t want to be here any more.

Getting through this experience was really difficult, but I cannot stress enough, how important the support, that was given by my GP Dr. Rauf, was to my getting through that difficult time.

She was amazing. She made me feel that I wasn’t alone, and gave me constant reassurance. She listened to me when I winged. She reassured me when I felt that things wouldn’t get better. There were times when I actually cried on the phone and couldn’t speak, she was there for me. When I finally received an appointment to see a specialist, it was months away. Dr. Rauf chased them up and got my appointment brought forward. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful GP.

I grew up in a time when seeing your GP was so different from the way it is today. There was no time limit on a visit. There was no need to make a phone call before you saw a doctor. Today, seeing a doctor feels so clinical. You have your 10 minute slot, and that’s it. There is no longer the opportunity to form a proper relationship with your GP, that makes you feel that you’re valued and that they do care when you are not well.”

I have been fortunate to have had a good GP throughout my time at my Practice, but this experience has restored my faith that GP’s really do care about their patients.

I have had a couple of bad experiences at the Practice, but it’s only when things get really bad that you can appreciate how good the Practice actually is.