"Excellent unscheduled care"

I awoke in the early morning with abdominal pain . Throughout the day pain relief did not have an impact  I called the GP out of hours by which stage I was also vomiting . They advised to go to the Emergency Department in the Ulster Hospital explaining the need for tests and scans they did not have access to. I was seen within in a few minutes in ED and triaged by Staff Nurse Cleo who was kind and compassionate , helping immediately by providing anti sickness medication and strong  pain relief . The Doctor who assessed me was very comprehensive and undertook tests , provided some treatment and requested a scan .

I was contacted on the Monday morning by the CT Department to attend the next morning for a scan . The entire experience within the CT Department was excellent , from the booking call, the radiologist carrying out the scan , clearly explaining and  caring for me throughout the scan and the staff that provided the report in a really timely efficient manner .

After the scan I waited in urgent care for my scan results  and was seen by Doctor Hannah who was amazing; so kind, knowledgeable and efficient . Effectively explaining why I had been experiencing the pain, providing a diagnosis , arranging my admission , arranging my medication as I waited for a bed. The staff are under significant pressure within Urgent Care however Doctor Hannah , Staff Nurses Megan and Allanah and Mr McCallion’s surgical team provided excellent assessment and treatment .

After a difficult few days it was wonderful to be admitted onto Ward 3D. Thank you to every member of staff , becoming unwell suddenly and an unscheduled admission came out of the blue , every member of staff worked as a great team providing care in a really compassionate and empathetic manner. The ward environment was bright , modern , clean and spacious and the catering was excellent. Thanks to Mr McCallion and his medical team and to the nursing staff Mark, Catherine , Jeff and Anne Marie as well as all the other team members including the Pharmacist and patient experience who made the whole experience outstanding .

The comprehensive care provided throughout this period of acute illness was exemplary with Staff Nurses Jeff providing written information about the required surgery and one of Mr McCallion’s medical team coming back after the ward round to talk through and explain surgery and to ensure I was providing informed consent .

The media focus on the negatives however the actual patient experience is excellent. Huge thanks to everyone I arrived very unwell and leave greatly improved and with a clear treatment plan in place .