"Excellent podiatry care from Emma"

I had a severe, huge blood blister on the bottom of my left foot almost 2 weeks ago. It was very difficult to walk on it, for my foot was a bit blown up and I had very bad pain from the middle to my last two small toes.

I have been with the NHS Podiatry service for many years and always had outstanding care from everybody! Podiatry said if I ever need help to call them ASAP. I usually use Old Irving Road in Kilmarnock. When I left a message with the kind phone operator, I had to wait while which is understandable, but Emma did get on the phone to me and after I told her the above, Emma made an appointment that afternoon at 3pm (15:00).

She gave me instructions as best she could on how to get to Tree Wood Head Road Clinic. I used Google and with Emma's help I figured how to get there. I also brought my trusty navigator, my wife Jane. We arrived just around 2:50 pm and Emma was at the door waiting for us.

Emma got me in the chair and looked at this broken blister and all the goodies that go with it. She called a colleague in and between the two of them sorted out what to do. After careful preparations, Emma took off the top of the broken blister and prepared a dressing with two Inadine (medicated) patches as well. She also put more dressing on to protect the dressing underneath. Emma also gave me instructions to stay off my left foot as best as I could and don't get the dressing wet.

She made another appointment for the next Monday (next week). I asked about antibiotics. Since I wasn't in any pain, things seem ok, antibiotics didn't seem necessary, plus there is a bit of antibiotic in the Inadine pad. Emma also cut my toenails on both feet which gave great comfort when I put my shoes back on. After all this outstanding care, I felt like I was walking on air!

I am so grateful for the National Health Service and its continuing strive to serve the injured and sick, and at no cost to the patient!

Being American born (where there is cost to the patient), immigrating to the UK in 1991, and becoming British in 2005, I have been praising the NHS in all sorts of circumstances I have been through.

Even when there are problems, they sort it out quick, apologize for any inconvenienced, delay, whatever they can do to make the patient feel better. They always appear to follow up to make sure the patient is ok and still striving to make sure their best can always be better, for the care of the patient is paramount!

I must say Emma, like all the rest in the NHS are "Super-Duper-Troopers"! Everybody in the NHS anywhere are so nice and kind, i.e. the receptionist, security, doctors, nurses, physiotherapy, x-ray, the cleaning staff, cafe's, I could go on and on!

I am so grateful to Emma for the fantastic and wonderful work, her outstanding logic, her brilliant atmosphere she presents. Please take care of Emma and all the rest that work in the NHS, for they always take care of us.