"Fast and efficient care on the GPAU"

I was referred to GPAU from my GP's with facial palsy on both sides of my face back in May 2013.

Here I was assessed very quickly by nurses, consultant nurse and then the general consultant. All of these assessments we then done thoroughly and within an hour. Bypassing A&E in such a stressful and worrying situation was great. I didn't even know this department existed.

I was then admitted and spent 4 days having every possible test under the sun done to rule out all serious possibilities because I was presenting such a rare form of facial palsy. I was seen by numerous general consultants, neurologists, basically everyone because I was such a 'rare, mystery'. After exhausting all tests and coming to the conclusion that I had a rare form of bilateral bells palsy I was discharged.

However the care and attention did not end there. I was asked to come back a few days later straight to the department and again 2 more weekly visits after that to check I was progressing well and to received more blood results. At which I was not made to wait for long to be seen either. The nurses on this department were caring, and efficient and I didn't want for anything. All consultants were caring and explained everything clearly.

This helped to reduce my worrying massively. Dr Kevin Jones who led all of this was fantastic and he and his team are an asset to the hospital. Very pleased and happy with my whole experience.

I have now had my check up with the neurologist in outpatients and because of the quick thinking and diagnosis in GPAU I have all movement back in my face with just a slight weakness. Considering what could have occurred if this had taken longer to be dealt with I think they all need a massive thankyou.....shame they can not receive performance related bonuses!