"A team of wonderful , friendly professional people"

Our elderly mother had been found unresponsive by her carers and was taken to Antrim Area Hospital.  I was advised to get my brother home as soon as possible.  I was allowed to remain with my mum and received  great support in Resuscitation despite A&E being hectic and under resourced.   The Intensive Care Doctor advised that Mum would not be able to stick their intervention and care and CCU would be the best option. 

I work in quality assurance of Professional performance in another industry. I do not use the word outstanding lightly or often.

There is however no other word to describe this amazing ward and all it’s staff. 

The standard of care was exceptional and Mum made a remarkable recovery and is now in a private nursing home. 

The CCU staff treated Mum with respect and dignity and were  very supportive to my brother and me in every way possible. 

Very special people work very hard in this ward and we would like to extend a huge thank you and award performance as OUTSTANDING. 

Mum was moved to B3 awaiting discharge to a nursing home.  While I have no complaints about nursing care, this ward lacks the reassuring ambience of CCU. Mum was anxious during her stay in B3 because of minor issues having experienced excellence in CCU where she felt safe. 

Discharge from B3 was poor,  resulting  in obstacles being presented to our mother’s move to a nursing home subsequent to discharge.   This was mainly due to poor administration . Discharge felt like as long as she was gone from B3 they didn’t care what happened next.  

This was unlike CCU who talked to her and us helping to prepare her for a permanent bed in the nursing home of her choice.

My mother had been seriously ill and was assessed as needing 24 hour nursing care yet a male member of staff offered an ultimatum that she went that day to a particular nursing home or she was left home where there no care package in place. 

Mum would not have agreed to discharge at that point as it presented a temporary bed instead of smooth discharge to her choice of home.   It also caused  double up of isolation periods etc at a traumatic time when she was dealing with not returning to her own home again.  On reflection this was unacceptable treatment of a vulnerable adult. 

That said from paramedics in her home to each individual person who took care of her Thank You.   

Antrim Area hospital is very clean and well presented.  Every effort is taken to ensure safety of everyone including visitors. 

From receptionist to support staff met on corridor all were helpful and caring. 

No words can express our gratitude for Mums remarkable recovery which was mainly down to CCU . 

My overall  comment on CCU is a team of wonderful , friendly professional people who are well managed with an evident people over policy approach.  Outstanding!