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Care Opinion

Fantastic clinicians

Posted By affa sair

"Fantastic clinicians"

About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

(as the patient),


Because I suffer from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - a neuropathic condition which causes seveer pain throughout my body now -  I have great problems in travelling the 70+ miles to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary from Forres in Moray.  However after having an ulcer for 3 months on my tongue an urgent visit to the Maxilo Facial Clinic was arranged in February 2018.  I was exhausted and in extreme pain by the time my wife had driven us there. 

The Clinicians were fantastic.  Ms Dhillon and her team were the most compassionate, understanding and attentive consultants I have known in 40 years of attending hospitals.  So impressive. 

Seeing the whole me

Seeing the whole me

Although it was of course necessary to do a physical examination both Ms Dhillon and Janet were very concerned with the amount of pain my CRPS was causing - and they had actually heard of it!    Thankfully there was nothing seriously wrong with the ulcer.  Although I am still suffering the consequences of the trip 5 days later, for once I don't mind going all that way and back.

What an impressive team of people.  They are not only concerned with their own speciality but look at the patient holistically.  A credit to NHS Grampian.

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Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 6 years ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 16/02/2018 at 10:40
Published on Care Opinion at 11:37

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear affa sair,

Thank you for leaving your story with us.

A return journey of 140 miles is a long day even without Complex Regional Pain Syndrome! It’s hard to imagine how tired and sore you must have been by the time you completed your trip, but I’m glad you returned home with some positive news and a bit of a weight lifted.

Your story helps us see that the technical skills of clinicians are not always as important as compassion and understanding and that it's these kindnesses that stay with us and make a difference to our day. I know the staff at the maxillofacial clinic really try their best to provide person centred, holistic care and I’m sure Ms Dhillon and her team will be delighted to know that their listening skills and attentiveness were appreciated. I will forward your kind words to them today.

Thanks for using the pictures in your feedback they are really effective at showing what was important to you.

Take care,

Kirsten

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by affa sair (the patient)

Thank you for your nice response Kirsten.

You are most correct in saying that the "people skills" of the clinicians are just as important as their technical abilities. In many ways the patient glosses over what the clinician says and remembers and tells others more about the way they were treated.

I'll always think of Ms Dhillon when I am confronted with a less than friendly professional next time I need some medical know-how.

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