"Emergency help"

So grateful to a seriously superior group of very dedicated individuals who stepped in at short notice to rectify a speech-valve problem (no voice at all and lots of very distressing coughing). Monklands Ward 9 people, yet again, were able and willing to help, to step up to challenges at short notice. Over the last 4 years or so, I’ve had several occasions where Mr Kang’s actions have been hugely helpful and impressive: he made difficult situations very much more bearable, top class and nothing but praise for Mr Kang’s team.

The most recent trauma occurred during a well-earned holiday break for Mr Kang.

His secretary is the next meriting praise. She arranged for a registrar to see me the following morning. But, on arrival at Monklands, we were told that the registrar had unfortunately tested positive, but they’d see who else would maybe be able to help. Firstly, Julie took details. She suggested we go for some lunch, by which time Mr Smillie may be available. What a tip-top team they made - two others assisted, though apologies to them, as I didn’t retain their names. Together they replaced the voice-valve - no mean feat, avoiding what had previously been judged elsewhere as requiring a higher-risk in-patient procedure. The risks and stay in hospital avoided, my voice returned and my stress levels vastly improved by a highly skilled and an amazingly dedicated team.

NHS is certainly understaffed, but the Monklands ENT people are most definitely as close to miracle makers as is possible.