"WMUH -Why the NHS is the best in the world!"

NEUROLOGY & Ambulatory Emergency Care (AEC)

Outstanding service, I am completely blown away. I have travelled quite a bit and had to use private healthcare that didn't give me this level of service.

A little bit about my story - I've had what I thought were migraines for a long while, I finally went to the GP who advised me to have my bloods done, see an optician and take sumatriptan.

All good places to start I thought. The optician noticed a very mild problem and recommended a referral to the neurologist on Christmas eve.

I went back to the GP and I had a phone conversation with him on the 27th December. By 9th Jan I had a neurologist appointment at WMUH who immediately gave me an 8 point plan to investigate my symptoms even though he couldn't see the problem with my eye himself.

I felt like he took me seriously, questioned his own judgement, was the right amount of confident and relied on and communicated with his colleagues, with me and my care totally at the centre.

Some of the points on my plan included referrals within the hospital including -for more bloods (completed same day), MRI, (completed Friday 11th), Lumbar Puncture (completed Tuesday 15th).

Each Dr and nurse I've spoken with along the way has known my situation and engaged me in discussions about my care and the Neurologist called me this evening to give me another update on all of the information he has to date.

I'm seeing him again on 20th. Communication is outstanding.

I'd like to say a little more about my first Lumbar Puncture.

I was really scared going in. First of all when I was in the reception area waiting to be called in, I watched every member of staff call each patient and greet them with "good morning, welcome to AEC".

WOW, just wow...

Then when I went in for my LP, my Dr told me everything I needed to know.

She wasn't guarded, she was very personable making conversation etc. I've read that LP's aren't straight forward procedures but you'd never have known it, I didn't feel a thing and 6 hours later I still don't.

I don't feel bruised or achy.

I felt a slight tugging or pressure when the needle went in but it was incredible, I didn't feel any pain at all.

I've had some fluid drained and feel alot better than I did this morning before the procedure so thank you so much to the team who have helped me this week.

I have to say this hospital is great, parking is good, there's a good costa and food place there, there's an easy to use pharmacy there and a WHsmiths. I can't fault the place.