"Suddenly getting viral meningitis and great care"

I had suddenly developed symptoms of viral meningitis and was taken in quickly to Hairmyres hospital. There, I was whisked through triage by the lovely Doctor Andrew. He ensured I was kept up to date, fully informed at every step of the way while he got me a head CT and was then doing a lumbar puncture (on whom he knew to be a nervous patient about them!) he was absolutely brilliant every step of the way, very reassuring and never condescending. 

The doctors decided that I should be moved to Monklands hospital on Friday and the paramedics moving me as well could not at all be faulted, they were letting me know what was happening at all times as I had to keep my head covered due to photophobia. They were great for keeping me calm and were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable despite trying circumstances of being run off their feet.

While in Monklands Infectious Disease Unit, I have been treated primarily by Stephanie and Nick, again both fantastic, excellent at explaining the situation, friendly and approachable and forthright. They were happy to explain things to me and did so in a completely understandable manner. 

In Monklands (as well as in Hairmyres), the nurses who have been helping me on ward 2 have been so great, they have been making sure that I have had people to talk to when unable to always have visitors (I’m in a room alone due to nature of ward, young children at home make it harder for visitors) and have been keeping me informed with my stats.

There’s literally been nothing that I could ask them to do that they won’t give a hand with, from helping with medicines and making sure I’m getting an antiemetic in plenty of time before dinner, to checking on my pain levels, explaining my vital stats to me as well. I haven’t been able to catch all names, but those I have are Anne Marie, Linzi, Grace, and Jim, and there’s been a trainee nurse as well who also shows excellent promise in her chosen career.

The staff bringing food to me and cleaning have been so friendly and helpful as well, honestly considering the amount of financial strain that I know the NHS is under, the amount of work the staff are having to undertake due to the recent constraints and the trying times that the staff have been working through, every single member of staff has went out of their way to make sure that I feel taken care of, safe, not scared, and listened to. What a wonderful service we have and it’s led by fantastic staff like these, thank you so much!!