"Reassuring stroke care"

I attended Calderdale Royal Hospital this month, feeling very wobbly and unsteady after having what I thought was quite an extreme hot flush. Turns out that I had had a stroke...

I was seen very quickly for triage, then assessed by an A&E doctor. A stroke nurse then came to take some tests, and, after these, I admitted immediately into the stroke unit.. Whilst there, my (ridiculously high) blood pressure was monitored, and I was given medication to start to reduce it. The consultants who looked after me were exceptionally good; they were reassuring, professional and more than happy to talk about my treatment as much as I needed. The nurses on the ward were really friendly, explaining every aspect of my treatment clearly. My blood pressure stayed high, and it was very difficult to obtain an accurate reading- but still I felt reassured and that my care was their priority. The physio and OT both looked after me well; I underwent several assessments whilst I was in hospital. The health care assistants who attended to me  were all wonderful too; and even the cleaner on the ward took time to chat with me.

What I most noticed  was that I was treated very much as an individual, and everyone introduced themselves by name, which was wonderful. I work in the health service myself, so I guess that I knew what my hospital colleagues do; but the difference was that I was the patient this time- so I felt amazingly reassured and cared for.

There are some follow up appointments, and I've had physio in the community as well. I have taken on some major lifestyle changes in the three weeks since this happened, regarding it as a complete wake up call. I've been discharged from physio as I have got all of my functions back, and I am very much looking forward to my new lease of healthy life. I was daft to let things get this far; the NHS was there for me, didn't make me feel judged or in the wrong, and is providing an amazing service to get me on track. I just want to say a most grateful thanks to everyone who looked after me on that scary Sunday.