"Surpassed expectations"

Sunday morning, presented to A&E with severe abdominal pain, I assumed it was appendicitis. I was attended to very quickly because it wasn't busy and possibly more importantly the fact that I was writhing in agony on the floor, although initial processing seemed painfully slow I don't think it could be done calmly much faster. I received IV pain relief within 20 minutes and IV fluids shortly afterwards. My initial diagnosis was delayed because I couldn’t give a urine sample but as soon as I had it was rushed for analysis where it became clear that I had some sort of renal infection so I was started on IV antibiotics, a X-ray was then taken prior to being admitted to Kingsmoor ward , all within 2 ½ hours of arrival !. I subsequently had a couple of CT scans which showed I had a Kidney Stone. All the staff ; nurses , HCAs, doctors and porters were extremely helpful and I felt that i had received the best possible care and attention all round. The next few days in the Kingsmoor ward I received excellent care and attention where I was looked after like a VIP. I was NBM on Sunday but was allowed food and drink in time for lunch on Monday, where although I hadn’t had a menu the day before , I still got something nice to eat. (Cod in tomato sauce with mashed potatoes and cabbage) The evening meal was limited to a sandwich and salad but I am a fussy eater being a Pescetarian so I wasn’t expecting much choice. On Tuesday ; Breakfast was limited to cereals and cold bread and jam but was ok, toast would have been nicer. Lunch – my expectations raised because I had completed a menu request form on Monday, however, although I had selected 6 items I only received 3 of them because the caterers ran out of potatoes, Peaches and Ice cream !?! the soup, pilchards and salad that I did get was nice enough. NB the alternative custard offered is not in my opinion an apt replacement for Ice cream, especially on such a hot day. Fortunately my condition improved and I was discharged before supper. In summary – this restored my belief in the fact that our NHS is in better shape than some people make out, I really feel that paying my national insurance contributions for the last 35 years has not been in vain. Well done and Thank you.