This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Accident and emergency visit

Posted By circinusyp35

"Accident and emergency visit"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Emergency department Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response

(as a carer),

I visited Altnagelvin Accident and Emergency Department with my aunt who resides in a private nursing home and is a lady with Dementia. She had been transported there by ambulance after a fall where she had sustained a head injury.

NIAS staff treated her with kindness, respect and dignity. She was triaged and treated by two lovely nurses Emily and Marie who both showed such kindness and patience in very challenging circumstances. They had an extremely busy department, lack of space and continually offered their apologies for having to treat her in a public area. The treating Doctor was also very respectful, kind and showed great insight into treating a lady with Dementia.

I would like to say thankyou to all who showed her kindness whilst meeting her medical need and hope you remain safe and supported in your role.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Ruairi Cummings, Graduate Intern, Quality & Safety Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service about a year and a half ago
Ruairi Cummings
Graduate Intern, Quality & Safety Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Supports the Patient Experience Team

Submitted on 08/11/2022 at 12:06
Published on Care Opinion at 13:45

picture of Ruairi Cummings

Good morning circinusyp35

We appreciate the feedback you have shared directed at the paramedics who attended to your aunt.

Our staff work to maintain high standards throughout what is very often a fast paced and intensely pressured environment.

The feedback you have provided will give great encouragement to the paramedics that attended, and help boost moral. Particularly taking into account the many circumstances that are challenged by our paramedics on a daily basis at present.

I am also pleased to learn of the intricate care taken to treat patients with dementia and as you described had taken the extra mile to make sure your aunt was comfortable and at ease, whilst maintaining their dignity and full respect.

I want to wish your aunt a quick and positive recovery.

Ruairi Cummings,

Quality and Safety Department

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Colleen Hamilton, Service Manager for Unscheduled Care, Emergency Department / AMU /ACU Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT about a year and a half ago
Colleen Hamilton
Service Manager for Unscheduled Care, Emergency Department / AMU /ACU Altnagelvin Hospital,
WHSCT

management duties

Submitted on 08/11/2022 at 19:45
Published on Care Opinion at 19:45

picture of Colleen Hamilton

Hi circinusyp35

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your recent experience in Altnagelvin Emergency Department. Thank you for your kind words about Emily and Marie and I will pass on your lovely word to both nurses who are committed to providing a high level of care to al patients in a challenging environment.

I am sorry that a cubicle space was unavailable to you aunt initially and our team do work hard to provide space when it becomes available. But it is very reassuring to hear that despite the lack of space the standard of care remained high form both nursing and medical team.

I hope your aunt is on the road to recovery and wishing you both all the best.

Kind regards

Collee Hamilton

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Nicola Hayes, Dementia Service Improvement Lead - Acute & Non Acute, PCOP, WHSCT about a year and a half ago
Nicola Hayes
Dementia Service Improvement Lead - Acute & Non Acute, PCOP,
WHSCT

Submitted on 08/11/2022 at 21:55
Published on Care Opinion at 21:55

picture of Nicola Hayes

Good evening circinusyp35

My name is Nicola Hayes and I am temporarily Acting Head of Service for Older People's Mental Health. My substantive post is Dementia Service Improvement Lead for Acute Hospitals.

Thank you for sharing your experience of your aunt's journey through the Emergency Department in Altnagelvin Hospital.

Your feedback is very welcome to ensure services are provided appropriately.

I am glad to hear that you and your aunt had a positive experience. Coming into the Emergency Department can be a fearful and stressful time for any of us and particularly for your aunt who is living with dementia. Sometimes these hospital environments can be overwhelming and it is good to hear that staff took this into account when treating your aunt.

Thank you to the medical, nursing and paramedic teams that ensured that this experience was therapeutic for your aunt.

I hope your aunt has recovered well from her recent fall.

Best Wishes
Nicola Hayes

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k