"A life changing place."

Anything else?

Bath RNHRD has been a part of my families life for at least 20 years. My father started going when he was first diagnosed and it saved his life. I am not exaggerating about it's impact on my life when I say it has done the same for me 2 years ago when I was diagnosed and was fortunate enough to go on a 2 week impatient course for AS. I was at my lowest - very depressed, in severe pain, bent, with no hope and dreading what it would do to my young family. The course changed my life. I came out upright, positive, in a lot less pain, armed with information and strategies to face the future and with the knowledge that the amazing doctors and physios are only a phone call away. It was summed up by my then 8 year old daughter who after not seeing me for 2 weeks just stared at me. I asked her what was the matter and she just said - you look amazing - so much younger and prettier! My husband could hardly believe the change and my friends were shocked to see me stride into the playground instead of hobbling in slowly. They all agreed I looked like a new person! This could not have been achieved through normal, occasional visits to the consultant. The impact of this course cannot be underestimated. It not only provides people with hope, knowledge and a new start, it is also beneficial to society and the NHS, as it allows many people to carry on employment and cuts down on many repeat visits to doctors and hospitals.

The hospital's importance goes beyond this course. The consultants are amazing. Myself and many others, travel a long way to see our consultants due to their expertise, excellence and attitude. Following years of ignorance and misdiagnosis elsewhere, this place is a beacon of hope! I have talked a lot about my experience at Bath to my husband, and a few months ago I took him to an appointment there. He had been with me to see consultants in other hospitals and did not believe how different Bath is. He is seldom lost for words, but he could not believe how friendly the consultant was, the pains he took to explain things or the lengths he went to to help me. He reacted like a huge number of people I know on their first visit (including me) who leave in stunned silence afterwards!

The hospital is also important in it's role in research and training. I am taking part in a drugs trial for anti tnf in people pre-fusion. It is research which will hopefully benefit so many people in the near future and future generations. I have to visit Bath monthly at the moment and am being looked after superbly as usual.

This truly is a special place and a life line to so many! Please don't destroy something that works so well. Think outside the box. Find ways to keep it going for the next generations, not just ways to make money!