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ARI provide top class skills, compassion and care over long ...

Posted By A thankful Husband

"ARI provide top class skills, compassion and care over long period of time"

About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Critical Care Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / General Surgery NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance

(as a relative),

My wife was today dismissed from ARI, where she has been in care for a severe pancreatitis attack at the ward 502 and the HDU unit. She was struck by this severe attack on no notice, and for us as foreigners it was our first meeting with Scottish Healthcare as provided by NHS Grampian.

I have been impressed with the skills, the engagement, the willingness to serve and the care and compassion that everybody in the "system" has shown for my wife.

At the time of the attack, realising we needed sudden help, the positive experience started with calling 111. I was met by a friendly and competent voice, guiding me as a completely unknown user through a quick check, determining that she needed an ambulance, and within 30 min from start of the call the ambulance was there and ready. The crew of the ambulance did their job in a very professional and courteous manner, and within a short timeframe we were in the emergency ward.

Following a downward trend in her illness, she was moved into the HDU unit which gave her excellent care for 5 weeks, before she was well enough to be moved to ward 502 where she was released today - just days shy of full 16 week in hospital.

I have been impressed with the people cleaning the floors, their interest in keeping the place up, their small chat with the patients and a friendly smile. I have been impressed with the nurses, providing care, comfort and relentless efforts in giving severely ill patients as good a time as possible. They have been supported by brilliant young Robert Gordon students building competency at ARI. I have been impressed by the people providing food, whether it be a cup of tea or it being the dietitian giving advice. And, I have been impressed with the doctors and the consultants skills, compassion, drive, calmness and experience in dealing with a potentially very dangerous illness.

Through these 16 weeks I have rested assured that my wife is being given the best treatment she could possibly be getting in all trades of the game, and I have appreciated all the efforts you all put in to make our days as good as possible!

To the people of Ward 502 and the HDU, treating pancreatitis, thanks for making our days, over and over again. You can, and should, be proud of who you are and the difference you make. She could not possibly have become ill at a better place. With the best wishes for a lovely year for you all!

A very thankful husband

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Responses

Response from Euan Esslemont, Deputy Regional Director - North Region, Scottish Ambulance Service 7 years ago
Euan Esslemont
Deputy Regional Director - North Region,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Submitted on 09/02/2017 at 12:01
Published on Care Opinion at 12:43

Hi,

Many thanks for taking the time to get in touch and highlight the care your wife has experienced during her illness.

It is great to read of the part the Scottish Ambulance Service had to play in caring for your wife during what must have been a worrying time.

I do hope your wife has made a good recovery.

Our ambulance crews work extremely hard, undertaking an incredibly difficult job, however at the same time ensuring that the patient is at the centre of care.

Thank you again for taking the time to feedback and expressing your gratitude!

Take care,

Euan

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Response from Shona Lawrence, Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 7 years ago
Shona Lawrence
Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24

Submitted on 09/02/2017 at 13:58
Published on Care Opinion at 15:50

picture of Shona Lawrence

Dear Thankful Husband


Many thanks for sharing your story. I was sorry to learn that your wife has been so unwell. I do hope that her health continues to improve. I am sure this will have been a very worrying time for you and your family.

You mentioned contact with the NHS 24 111 service within your story and I am pleased that our staff were able to direct your wife's care appropriately to the Ambulance Service. Your comments in relation to 111 staff being friendly and competent are especially welcome. Here at NHS 24, are we are often the first point for patients or carers, a positive patient/caller experience is what we strive to achieve at all times.

Your comments for staff within the Scottish Ambulance Service and ARI are also heartening to read.

Thanks again for taking the time to get in touch.

With kind regards

Shona

Shona Lawrence

NHS 24 Patient Affairs Manager

0141 337 4582

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Response from Kate Danskin, Chief Nurse, Surgical Division, NHS Grampian 7 years ago
Kate Danskin
Chief Nurse, Surgical Division,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 13/02/2017 at 19:40
Published on Care Opinion at 22:09

Thank you so much for the detailed, wonderful feedback. This sounds like it was a really difficult time for you both and I am so glad you found everyone worked hard to make sure it was the the best it could be for you.

I echo my colleagues' from SAS and NHS 24 in thanking you for taking the time to post. I know it means a lot to our hard working teams to hear they make a real difference and I will make sure your post is shared widely to the teams you've mentioned in ARI as soon as I finish this reply.

All it leaves is for me to also add my hope that your wife's recovery has progressed well since leaving us.

Thank you.

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Update posted by A thankful Husband (a relative)

Katie,

My wife has continued her positive recovery in the 4-5 days she has been back home. We are heading home to Norway for winter holidays on Thursday, and she does look forward to visiting her own house again:-) I am confident that time will heal the affects of this "life hump", and that she will be fully recovered not to far into the future.

Response from Kate Danskin, Chief Nurse, Surgical Division, NHS Grampian 7 years ago
Kate Danskin
Chief Nurse, Surgical Division,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 14/02/2017 at 17:00
Published on Care Opinion at 17:16

That is very good news to hear. I hope you both enjoy your holiday! There is nothing like being home and I am sure that can only help the recovery process.

Thank you again for your feedback.

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