"Kindness personified"

I'm a crohn' s disease patient waiting on a a mid-July appointment after an intestinal obstruction requiring hospitalization and emailed the lead clinical nurse, Emma, a gastro specialist, Recently I contacted her to let her know I was having stomach aches, and also contacted the dietician, Ann, who had asked me to get in touch if I had any problems with my diet after a recent hospitalization. Both of these amazing women emailed me back the same day, not only giving me immediate advice on what to do in order to manage my symptoms. Emma made me an appointment for the next day at the BGH so that she could see me herself and get me an X-ray done, and Ann also said she would make time to see me then. To my amazement, the next day at 12pm I was having an x-ray, after being welcomed by Emma, who I know from past experience is always in high demand, although you could never guess thus from her friendly, yet incredibly professional way of working. The radiologist who gave me the scan was very reassuring and sensitive, and made what could have been a stressful experience a very comfortable one. When I got back, Emma reassured me that Dr Evans would be reviewing the x-ray soon, and I was then ushered into a room by Ann, who went on to give me the most clear and thorough dietary advice I have ever had. She took all the time required to make sure I fully understood what I had to do in order to manage my disease with a low residue diet. Her patient manner and amazing listening skills along with huge amounts of empathy made me feel very much at ease when discussing where I have gone wrong with my diet in the past and how to fix it, and I am already seeing a reduction in abdominal pain since starting up the diet plan she made me.

On my way home I saw Emma waiting at the bus stop, now officially off the clock, yet she still made a point of stressing that if I had any other problems in future, I was to phone or email her. Just above and beyond. I already have an overwhelmingly positive experience as an IBS patient at the BGH, with every specialist, GP, surgeon and nurse I have seen very clearly wearing their heart on their sleeve when it comes to the wellbeing of their patients, but I will never stop being amazed at all the care that goes into their ways of working, or stop being grateful to have them there for me in my time of greatest need. I have met lots of IBD patients who feel exactly the same way. Thank you.