"Under pressure? Yes, but what a service!"

I just want to put on record my heartfelt appreciation for the Surgery’s response when I called on the morning of 24th July to ask for help in dealing with a difficulty with my speech earlier in the month and subsequent forgetfulness.

The duty Nurse Practitioner called back within 10 minutes, listened to my concerns and asked me to come to the Surgery at 11.am

At 11.am the on call Doctor gave me a thorough and skilful review and then arranged for an appointment for me to see a Stroke Consultant at SDH at 2.pm

The SDH Cardiac Investigation Unit picked up the baton and I was seen by the Stroke Consultant within 15 minutes of arrival.

After review the Consultant suspected a TIA and then sent me, armed with a map of Level 3, to have a Brain Scan, a Neck Scan, an ECG & blood tests - and finally to the Pharmacy for new medication.

At 4.15 all was done and we went home for a cup of tea!

We are all fully aware of the enormous pressures, both in terms of funding and manpower, under which the NHS is having to work - and its all too easy to be grumpy; but when one is faced with a possibly serious situation and is helped in this quite amazing way, one realises what a special thing our NHS is and how lucky we are to have it and its dedicated teams of professionals supporting our wellbeing.

My experience just serves to illustrate what a truly wonderful Surgery we have in Fordingbridge and what a superb Hospital sits on our doorstep.

My thanks to everyone who supported me.