"Having a blood transfusion"

This was at the Borders General Hospital (I'm very familiar with the BGH and think it's a really good hospital.  And everyone is so helpful and kind).

My GP had warned that it would take 'about three hours or more'.  Accordingly my wife, who was driving me there from our rather remote home, made plans for the day and for picking me up.

After the preliminary 'establishing details' bit, I was shown into a room with six very comfortable orthopaedic armchairs with electric controls and settled down to reading my book.  As each procedure (taking bloods etc) took place I was told how long, approximately, it would be until the next thing happened.  At each stage staff were very thoughtful and careful about this.  Obviously there is laboratory work to be done, but the surprise was that the blood which was to be given to me had to be thoroughly analysed for 'match'.

The whole procedure therefore took seven hours.  This involved progressively phoning my wife (for which I had to slightly hang out of the window to get a signal).  The suggestion I want to make is that the procedure and the total length of time it takes is explained to the patient at the beginning - preferably earlier, in the appointment letter.

This is a suggestion - not a complaint.  The day was a good one, with people being helpful and kind.