"Consultant made me feel totally at ease"

My consultant Mr R Chandrasekar and his team at Arrowe Park hospital were excellent whilst I was under their care during January and February 2010.

I was admitted at new year with severe abdominal pain which was later diagnosed as gall bladder inflammation and once discharged, was then seen less than a week later at Mr Chandrasekar's clinic at Clatterbridge where I was made to feel totally at ease and had the full procedure for gall bladder removal, together with other options explained to me. I did not feel rushed and I went away feeling very confident in him as my consultant and surgeon.

I was told it would be May before an operation was possible, but having called again the following week on the off chance of a cancellation, was assured that I would be contacted as soon as one came available which it did in early February. Mr Chandrasekar explained again to me prior to the operation and made sure I was totally happy with what was going to happen, and put me at ease. Considering the theatre waiting area is like Piccadilly Circus, it is a real credit to him and his team to take such individual care. The Anesthetist and his team were also very efficient and thorough and made me feel comfortable and relaxed.

After the op, I asked ward staff (18) if Mr Chandrasekar would come to see me and they said probably not, but he did come to see me later that day to see if I was ok. I was particularly impressed that having learnt that the op took longer than usual due to the inflammation on my gall bladder, that he had persevered with keyhole surgery, rather than just reverting to open surgery which I had specifically requested did not happen unless absolutely necessary. Clearly, despite time pressures and other pressures surgeons clearly put up with, he took care to continue with keyhole when perhaps it may have been easier to do open. In any event I am making a great recovery, and am very grateful to him and the team, including all the staff on ward 18 for my care. Thank you to all of you.