"My visit to the eye department was brilliant"

I had a truly wonderful experience at the eye department today. I attended for a routine appointment to check on my eyes after a procedure last year.

When I sat down in the waiting room, I realised that my asthma was starting to play up. I always keep an inhaler in my car but I’d been dropped off and didn’t have one in my bag, and the cold walk to the hospital had really triggered my wheezing (my asthma very rarely flares up so I had stupidly forgotten to bring an inhaler with me). I was sure that there wouldn’t be anything the eye department could do for me, but while messaging my friend they suggested I at least ask in case my lungs got any worse.

I asked a lady called Dayanee, who advised that she would see what she could do. I said it was okay and not to worry as I’m sure I’d be alright, but she wrote my name down and I continued to wait for my appointment. I will admit that although I was happy to wait and didn’t want to miss my eye appointment, I was starting to feel quite tight of breath and concerned about the rest of my time in the hospital before the drive home. 

To my absolute amazement, Dayanee came back a few minutes later and called me into a side room where she took my details and dispensed an inhaler. I have no idea how she managed to source one or find a doctor to prescribe it, when the department is based around eyes, but she did. The relief I felt being handed the inhaler was incredible.

I’m sure Dayanee had lots of other tasks to do in her busy day, but she went out of her way to try and get an inhaler for me, even after I said it was fine and I’d be okay. This is a level of care I genuinely didn’t expect and wouldn’t ever have expected. I expressed that I am really sorry as I should have come prepared, and Dayanee still reassured me that it’s okay, and that they want me to feel well.

The rest of my appointment was similarly wonderful, with everything going according to plan in a timely fashion, professional and friendly staff, a clean and calm environment where staff gave the impression that everything was running smoothly. The entire appointment lasted for 60m, including my initial vision test/puff test, images being taken, and seeing the doctor. Very efficient care!

It has been humbling to experience the level of compassion and care I was given today when I caused my own difficulties by forgetting my inhaler. All I can say is a massive thank you, both to Dayanee for helping me with my asthma and the rest of the staff for being equally as lovely. Exemplary care all around and I am extremely thankful for our wonderful NHS.