"Best care I have received"

I was referred to the Rehabilitation Unit for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy due to a combination of osteoarthritis, joint hypermobility and Fibromyalgia. The fibromyalgia in particular is a very misunderstood condition and treatment in the past has made me feel belittled and treated like a hyperchondriac. This was the complete opposite to my experience at Pinderfields. The consultant who saw me in Rhematology was lovely - very thorough, understanding and clear with me. She referred me to Physio and Occ Therapy and I was offered appointments with both services within 6 weeks, which I was very impressed by. The Physio was brilliant - he listened very carefully to my situation and has designed his treatment plan according to my needs. The Occ Therapist was just as good - extremely thorough and understanding. Within the first appointment I walked out with a wrist splint which has really helped with my pain, and arrangements made for a home assessment and referral to a pain management group within the very near future. All three of these medical professionals made me feel listened too, understood and believed - the complete opposite of my experiences at Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds. They have come up with some real, practical options for treatment which are designed to work for me as an individual. For the first time I feel I have had real practical help, instead of being fobbed off with some painkillers and given the impression the doctor thinks the pain is psychological. I finally feel confident that I am being taken seriously and that the professionals really want to help me. The hospital is always clean and the reception staff I have encountered have all been very friendly and helpful, remaining professional even when they are treated appallingly by some patients. Appointments have always run to schedule and I are available in very reasonable timescales. I genuinely have nothing negative to say about my experience at all. I now ask to be referred to Pinderfields rather than hospitals closer to my home in Leeds as my experiences there have always been excellent in contrast to some terrible experiences in Leeds, and I will continue to go there wherever possible. Well done to everyone involved - we patients are very quick to complain but not so quick to shout about it when the service is excellent.