"Fantastic staff!"

I was admitted to ward G5 at 7.00am for a steroid hip injection on Thursday 3rd March. On I arrival was made to feel very welcome and the nurse was very friendly.

After about an hour I became very agitated as I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks and I started to get upset, shaking and crying. The nurse came over at once and pulled the curtain for my privacy and tried to calm me down by reassuring me about the procedure. I was taken to the day room to watch tv to take my mind off things. The nurses were so caring.

At about 10.15 I was walked down to theatre, again I became quite anxious and the staff were very patient and again reassuring. Whilst waiting in another room the surgeon came to see if in was ok and again I burst onto tears, I was terrified. They told me I was totally in control at all times and I could ask them to stop at any time and if needed we could try another day. They asked did I want to wait 10 minutes but I decided to just get it over and done with and was greeted by some lovely members of staff in the theatre. A wonderful nurse held my hand and talked to me all the time during the procedure, at one point it did hurt and I they just told me to breath and kept me focused. In 10 minutes it was all over and I was wheeled back to the ward and given a cracking brew and some toast and jam. The nurses kept taking my obs and asked how I was feeling over the next couple of hours which was thankfully calm but very tired. I was discharged at around 12.30.

I would like to thank each and every single person who looked after me (including my wonderful husband) who was allowed to stay with me the whole time (apart from theatre). If it wasn't for the caring patient staff, I might not have stayed and had a much needed procedure.