"Kindness and competence calmed fears"

My husband had a cystoscopy & biopsy on Tuesday with a general anaesthetic because of his terror of needles, catheters etc – so when he developed urinary retention yesterday, he was not only distressed because of that, but also at the prospect of what he now needed to face- needles and catheters!

Because it was within 24 hours of his discharge, we went to Ward 20 for him to be assessed. He was really stressed and distressed and in a bit of pain by now, but we were both so impressed with both the nurse who admitted him and the doctor who assessed and treated him. We wanted to let you know how well they dealt with this slightly challenging patient!

My husband says they were a very calming influence, they were warm and smiled when speaking to him, told him clearly several times that they would be able to help him but was also very practical, and he found that very reassuring. We know that people come in who are a lot more unwell than he was, but they showed understanding that for him, right then, this was really distressing.

As well as his high level of anxiety making things difficult, we had been told that his urethra is particularly tight, so he’s not the easiest person to catheterise, but they dealt with this calmly, professionally and very competently, listened to our request that they use a slightly smaller catheter. Also, when it came to taking blood, something else he absolutely dreads, they reassured him and did this quickly and efficiently, again with the smallest needle to make it easier on him.

I was aware from the start that this doctor is very recently qualified but didn’t mention this to my husband, in case it made him more anxious! But they came over as having a quiet confidence but also told us that if getting the catheter in was proving very difficult, they would not just keep going causing him pain but would seek help from a more experienced colleague – again reassuring him.

We were there for some hours but staff checked in on us and twice offered us something to eat/drink - that was appreciated.

He also saw his own consultant before going home, which was really good, and we have real confidence in them and the urology team here.

So thank you Ward 20 and Dr for making an unpleasant afternoon a lot easier for us, and for your kindness.