"NHS under pressure but I can't thank A & E enough!"

I suffer with a serious back problem and have had two major surgeries all done at Heatherwood. Christmas day with no warning my back went. As I am an out of catchment patient I just went to doctors and hoped it would get better. 11 days later I decided to be taken to Wexham as am under there care on Friday. In pain and unable to sit for long I hoped the wait would not be long. Waiting for the triage nurse to call me someone collapsed in the waiting area. The staff showed compassion and dealt with that emergency. So I did not mind waiting longer. Once seen by triage nurse who was so kind to me. At that point tears were running down my face as I could no longer deal with the pain. I was told it won't be too long. No sooner I sat back down I was called in. Helped onto a trolley and had all obs done. Soon I was moved into the main A & E bay area. Pain relief given and doctor saw me quite quickly despite it being under pressure. Was given pain relief and was told what was going to happen and they had called for the Orthopaedic surgeon to examine me and was waiting for my notes.

In the space of 4 hours I had a bladder scan and examined by Orthopaedic surgeon who had admitted me.

Was moved to the Christensein Ward and treated so well. All staff treated me as a human being a person in pain and not just as a patient. I was kept informed as much as they could what would happen as my MRI scan was going to be on Saturday. At that point I was hungry I had missed food and a cup of tea as had to be nil by mouth just in case I needed surgery when admitted. Thankfully food was at hand from my partner!

I missed breakfast next day as again needed to be nil by mouth. I got my scan and staff there were so compasionate and caring. You try lying flat with a back issue for 30 minutes! Back to the ward and I had been ordered food. I couldn't fault the food so much choice.

I was discharged later on Saturday evening with good news and bad but no surgery needed. They got my pain under control quickly and physio came to see me and gave me crutches for extra support. I'm now going back to my consultant to see what can be done to help me.

But I cannot thank all the staff enough for there help and watching me cry and helping me out in my worst embarrassing moment. I have never stayed there before and to be told I did the right thing in coming in there and need to again if the same thing happens was so reassuring. A caring, clean and welcoming hospital

Thank you from the bottom of ny heart!