"The most fantastic support and care"

I could write a book about my experiences at Heartlands Hospital but I will be brief!

For the past 18 months I have been treated there for Auto Immune Hepatitis (AIH). I first visited my GP in April 2016 after feeling generally unwell and lacking energy and was sent for a blood test. That same evening at almost midnight I received a phone call from The Badger Centre in Birmingham asking me to attend immediately as there was a problem with my liver.

From there, I received an appointment with the Clinical Lead of Gastroenterology who carried out a huge number of blood tests and finally a liver biopsy before confirming my diagnosis. Their thoroughness undoubtedly saved my life and I will never be able to thank them enough for their care.

Since then I have been a regular visitor to the Gastroenterology Clinic and A&E where I have received outstanding care and support from both departments.

My liver consultant has treated me with great respect and informed and involved me in every decision that was made about my medication. My condition cannot be cured but it can be managed and I am well on the way now to doing that. I owe my life to all those concerned, including my IBD nurse who discusses my blood test results with me and offers reassurance, support and advice.

The last 18 months have been a health nightmare but with the care and support of all those I have come into contact with, I know that I have now turned a corner and can start to look forward to some extra special years. Never have I appreciated life more, so a huge heartfelt thankyou to you all. I am so very, very lucky.

The NHS is a wonderful institution and I have the utmost praise for everyone who works there, often in difficult conditions with overstretched budgets.