"Lerwick Health Centre system - can't praise it enough"

I was so pleased with my recent experience at Lerwick Health Centre.

My 3 year old daughter has issues with asthsma and recently had a chest infection. A month after her antibiotics finished she was complaining of a sore chest when she was running or walking quickly, so I went in to the health centre with her at about 10am in the morning. We were given an appointment with an APN at 2. 15pm that afternoon. When we saw her she was so caring and thorough and reassuring. It turned out what my lass had was viral and no antibiotics were needed, but the way this was expressed was so empathetic to me as a concerned mother and helped put me at ease.

What a difference from having to wait in the waiting room for 2. 5 hours with her and my younger boy to see a doctor that seems flustered due to time constraints and frustrated with me for bringing the child when it turns out to be "just a virus". I would never want antibiotics when they are not needed, but with my child's history of asthsma and being new to dealing with it, I have always acted on the side of caution and also, just because it is viral does not mean it is not concerning for all involved, although I am fully aware there is nothing a doctor can prescribe in these circumstances.

When she did have the chest infection recently I had almost left going to the health centre too long because I was put off by the long waiting room time and being met with a level of patronisation if she did not have an infection. I have to say that the doctor who dealt with us when my daughter did have the chest infection was lovely, and caring and re-assuring, but the new system without the incredibly long wait at the health centre was certainly more satisfying and I can't praise it enough.