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"Wonderful care, with understanding and compassion"

About: NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France / Accident & Emergency Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France / Acute Medical Unit Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance

(as a carer),

I would like to thank NHS24 (111), Scottish Ambulance Service, A+E at RIE (Little France) and Acute Medical Unit Bay 5 for medical care my sister received few days ago.

My sister, who has suffered SAH few months ago, fell ill and contacted NHS24. The call handler she spoke to arranged an ambulance to my family home.

The Ambulance arrived very quickly, two wonderful and knowledgeable paramedics assessed her and  transferred her to A+E at RIE.

She was cared for by Acute Nurse Practitioner Ms Walker. I cannot praise her more. Being aware of my sister's past medical history, her cognitive impairment and increased level of anxiety, Ms Walker delivered wonderful and exemplary high quality level of care to meet my sister's needs. Ms Walker respected and understood the fact that my sister was at the early stage of her post SAH recovery and communicated with her clearly and in simple sentences so my sister was able to understand the importance of tests and treatment she was receiving and she felt included in the decisions made. Ms Walker also communicated with us, family members, and kept us updated at every stage of my sister's admission and showed her compassion, respect and understanding what I am very grateful for. I would like to thank Ms Walker to hold on with her break until she finished her medical assessment (including queuing on the phone for over 20 minutes to discuss my sister's case with the consultant based in WGH) and for saying good bye before my sister was moved to Acute Medical Unit Bay 5. She is an exemplary health care professional.

I cannot forget about an excellent and thoughtful nursing care my sister received in MAU Bay 5 and for making her as  comfortable as possible in hospital environment. You responded to her questions and needs quickly, with understanding, compassion and care. You are right people in right place.

The only thing that could go better was the A+E reception staff. They could be more welcoming and kind. I was standing as 3rd on 4th in a queue to amend my sister’s details and I did not hear “How can I help” or “Hi” or “Bye”, nothing like that, both receptionists were only shouting “next” and speaking to patients with rude manner and not even being keen to speak in full sentences. One of them gave me provocative and really unpleasant sight when speaking to me. Little things that could be improved/worked on so patients would feel welcome by undoubtly hard working admin staff.

Overall, NHS Lothian at its best.

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Responses

Response from Sara Robinson, Consultant, Emergency Medicine, NHS Lothian 4 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Sara Robinson
Consultant, Emergency Medicine,
NHS Lothian
Submitted on 24/05/2019 at 13:36
Published on Care Opinion at 16:23


Dear Panda78,

Thank you very much for taking the time to feedback. I’m delighted to hear that your sisters Emergency Department care went smoothly. I’ll pass on your lovely comments to Marie. It really makes a difference to us when we hear such great feedback.

I was really sorry to hear that your initial reception was not as welcoming. Our reception team do work hard, and it is important to us that our patients and visitors feel comfortable and cared for in every interaction. Clearly we have not achieved this and I am very sorry for the distress we have caused.

I hope your sister is improving, again many thanks for getting in contact. If you would like to discuss any of your points further we’d be happy to.

Best wishes,

Sara

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Response from Shona Lawrence, Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 4 years ago
Shona Lawrence
Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24
Submitted on 24/05/2019 at 13:37
Published on Care Opinion at 13:37


picture of Shona Lawrence


Dear Panda 78

Thanks for sharing your sister's (and your family's) experience on Care Opinion. I was sorry to learn your sister suffered a recent subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and I do hope she is doing well.

It is good of you to take the time to post complimentary feedback for the services involved in your sister's care. Nurse Marie Walker sounds like a huge credit to NHS Lothian and I hope she is very proud that you speak so highly of the care she delivered.

Your story is an great example of services working together to provide the best possible patient and family care. It was good of you to mention the initial call to NHS 24 and I will share your story more widely within NHS 24 to remind our staff of the important role they have in ensuring the best possible experience for patients and callers to our 111 service.

It is also good of you to mention what didn't go so well as this informs improvements to services for all patients and families.

Thanks again for getting in touch. Should you wish to contact me with any additional detail regarding NHS 24 then please get in touch on 0141 337 4597 or by email at patientaffairs@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk

With best wishes

Shona

Shona Lawrence

NHS 24 Patient Affairs Manager

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Response from Jennifer Watters, Deputy Associate Nurse Director, RIE, NHS Lothian 4 years ago
Jennifer Watters
Deputy Associate Nurse Director, RIE,
NHS Lothian
Submitted on 24/05/2019 at 15:34
Published on Care Opinion at 16:11


Dear Panda78

Thank you very much for your lovely post regarding your sister's stay in the Acute Medical Unit. I am delighted our staff were compassionate and understanding as they work very hard to achieve the best level of care for all our patients. I will make sure this is passed on to all members of the team.

Thank you again for taking the time to post such a positive review and I hope your sister is recovering well.

Best wishes

Jennifer Watters

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Response from Alan Martin, Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs and Engagement, Scottish Ambulance Service 4 years ago
Alan Martin
Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs and Engagement,
Scottish Ambulance Service
Submitted on 27/05/2019 at 07:51
Published on Care Opinion at 07:51


picture of Alan Martin

Dear Panda78,

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback on CareOpinion. I am so sorry to hear that your sister had reason to use the service of ourselves and the wider NHS. I do hope that she is on the road to a full recovery.

I am however so pleased to hear that overall the experience that you and your sister received was a positive one. I agree with Shona that Nurse Walker sounds like a good clinician to have attending you and a credit to NHS and its values. I am sure this feedback will get back to her and she will be very pleased, it will also be fantastic for other staff to see that good work is truly appreciated.

I thank you again and I wish you all the very best!

Kind Regards

Alan

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