"Excellent care in the stroke clinic"

I accompanied my mother on a visit this week to the acute medical unit after she had a mini stroke (TIA). We were seen promptly and well looked after by the nurses who took her bloods, ECG etc. We then saw the doctor who was excellent, very thorough and caring in her examination and review of medical history. She took time to explain what would happen and then organised an appointment with the senior Doctor. We had to wait for CT and ultra-sound scans etc but not for an excessive amount of time and communication was very good. My overall impression was that this was a hospital in which the culture was one of patient first, given the stresses under which hospitals operate this is not a simple thing to achieve. When my mother was waiting in the corridor for me to return she was asked many times if she was ok, did she need help, are you lost etc. This is a real sign that the service /care ethic is pervasive across all staff levels and not just "poster mission statements".