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Care Opinion

Brilliant joined up care in West Scotland

Posted By MckB

"Brilliant joined up care in West Scotland"

About: Mid Argyll Community Hospital and Integrated Care / Community Casualty Department Royal Alexandra Hospital / General Surgery (wards 19, 20, 24, 26 &29) Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance

(as a relative),

Coming from Northumberland we were on holiday in mid-Argyll when my wife was taken seriously ill with acute pain and vomiting. The pharmacist in Lochgilphead sent us straight up to the Health Centre A& E, where Dr Claire and Nurse Practitioner Rhona swung straight into action - they were outstanding in their professionalism and kindness.  

The helicopter service would take too long, and so she was blue-lighted in the world's fastest ambulance, crewed by Laura and George, to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Paisley. She was admitted on to the Surgical Acute Receiving Unit with what turned out to be pneumonia and sepsis, originating in an inflamed gall-bladder.  

She was subsequently transferred to the Medical Ward. Her treatment in Paisley was excellent, mirroring our earlier experience; expertise, kindness and professionalism hand in hand for the whole of her 8-day stay.  

And the food was good, the parking was free and the discharge procedure was a model of smooth efficiency. It was an exemplary performance, and the NHS at its best - we are extraordinarily grateful.

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Responses

Response from Marie Farrell, Sector Director - Clyde, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 6 years ago
Marie Farrell
Sector Director - Clyde,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 14/11/2017 at 08:14
Published on Care Opinion at 09:17

picture of Marie Farrell

Dear MckB

Thank you so much for taking the time to post your comments. This must have been a very worrying time for both yourself and your wife and definately not the end you expected to your holiday.

The care your wife received from everyone involved is what we all strive to deliver on a daily basis. It is rewarding to know how smoothly she moved from the care of one team to another.

I will ensure that your kind words are shared with the staff in the RAH.

I hope that your wife is now well on the road to recovery and that the next time you visit us in Scotland that your trip will be less eventful.

Regards

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Response from Mark Hannan, Head of Corporate Affairs and Engagement, Scottish Ambulance Service 6 years ago
Mark Hannan
Head of Corporate Affairs and Engagement,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Submitted on 14/11/2017 at 12:39
Published on Care Opinion at 13:52

Dear MckB,

It is great to hear this fantastic feedback about our staff and I'm really pleased that you and your wife had such positive experiences of the NHS more widely.

Pneumonia and sepsis are obviously very serious conditions so I'm really encouraged that your wife was treated with speed, efficiency, care and compassion throughout her stay in Scotland as it must have been a worrying time for you both. I hope your wife is well on the road to recovery now and wish you all the best for the future.

Thank you for taking the time to send in your comments. We'll make sure we feed back your positive comments to our crew from the world's fastest ambulance!

Warm regards,

Mark

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Response from Fiona Campbell, Clinical Governance Manager, NHS Highland 6 years ago
Fiona Campbell
Clinical Governance Manager,
NHS Highland

Submitted on 16/11/2017 at 08:46
Published on Care Opinion at 08:56

Dear MckB,

I am very sorry to hear that your wife became seriously unwell during a holiday in Mid Argyll and hope she is making a good recovery. It must have been a worrying time for you both.

As you will know, the A&E Department in Lochgilphead is within the modern Mid Argyll Community Hospital and Integrated Care Centre where a range of other services including a health centre, in-patient beds and ambulance services are provided under one roof to a rural population. Small teams of highly skilled staff work closely together to provide services locally wherever possible. However, on occasions, as in your wife’s case, people need to be transferred for more specialised care to Paisley or Glasgow Hospitals which are two or more hours away (perhaps less in the world's fastest ambulance)! These situations involve swift assessment, treatment and careful planning and liaison with a wider team to provide that ‘joined up’ care you described and experienced.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your heart-warming feedback. I will ensure staff are made aware of your comments and your gratitude which I know they will value.

I hope you and your wife will visit Mid Argyll again soon and wish you both well in the future.

Kind regards

Fiona Campbell

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