"Visit to X-Ray Department"

I had an appointment at the X-Ray / MRI department at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. I travelled to the hospital nice and early in the hope of achieving a parking space and I am glad to say that I managed to find one for my motor vehicle. I arrived at the X-Ray / MRI department in good time for my appointment and signed in via the computer based check- in service as there were no admin clerks on duty in the office.

The X-Ray / MRI department was completely empty on my arrival, not one other member of the public was to be seen in the waiting room area. I thought this was a bit unusual as this area is normally hoaching with individuals waiting to be seen. I was taken quite quickly and went through the MRI scan process without any problems other than that of speech clarity. Whilst going through the MRI scan process I was aware of one of the staff speaking to me via the headphones. I could not always make out what was being said and this was due to the individual speaking far too close to the microphone which has an effect on the speech clarity when relaying a message to a patient. The rest of the process went very well indeed. I was pleased to see that I was able to keep on the majority of my clothing and footwear. I was also pleased to see that ear plugs and headphones are being used to reduce any noise problems from the scanner itself. It used to be the case that some music was played via the headphones which helped to allay any person's anxiety / fear issues during the whole process. During my process I did not hear any music and I merely kept quiet / still and stared at the tiles on the ceiling which was not very exciting. I also liked the fact that lockfast lockers are being used to house one's personal property in a bid to reduce / eliminate and petty theft of patients' personal belongings. I left the X-Ray / MRI department and was back at my motor vehicle in good time ready to travel home.

My only concerns about the injury to my left knee / leg was the fact that I injured my left knee back in February 2019 and I went to my GP in early March 2019 and it has now taken until August 2019 to get an MRI scan and then I have to wait on the results coming through. The NHS processes are very slow indeed and matters need to be speeded up so that persons like myself who have a debilitating left knee /leg issue can be properly and quickly dealt with which reduces the number of persons waiting to go through the various NHS processes.

The only health operation I have ever needed to have was having my tonsils taken out at the age of 7 years. One is always being told that there is a waiting list for various types of treatment due to backlogs of needy patients and the fact that persons are living longer. Today, on a Sunday, I saw no one waiting to be seen in the X-Ray / MRI waiting area other than myself. What I would like to know is the NHS still operating a 24 hour, 7 day service in order to reduce all the backlogs of persons waiting to get various treatments including operations ? As a former shift worker myself I used to get time off for only one weekend in four and the public service that I was employed in provided a 24 hour, 7 day service to the members of the general public. I should like to point out that I did not take up the time of the already busy staff within the Accident and Emergency Department of the Victoria Hospital in a bid to obtain a faster MRI appointment and a speedier outcome for my debilitating left leg/knee problem. If I had done then I might have had some form of operation by now and could have cast aside my recently purchased, folding walking stick.