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"My mother-in-law's treatment"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Emergency department Altnagelvin Area Hospital / GP Out of Hours (Phone First) Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response

(as a relative),

My mother-in-law developed a large swelling in her left leg as a wheel chair user there was concern for a clot.   This incident shows so many pieces of the system working together so well.

The initial concern was raised to us by her carers who visit 4 times a day. We then contacted GP out of hours as it was a Sunday. We had a call back in 30mins and advised to attend A&E.

My mother-in-law can’t travel in a car so we needed an ambulance transport. This was provided and arrived within the hour. Considering we live quite rural this was a surprise. 

Nothing was too much for the ambulance crew that arrived and they were extremely compassionate and reassuring as my mother-in-law was quite nervous about being transferred to the trolley.

We then arrived at Altnagelvin. The nurse in A&E, Morgan, was an absolute delight. She had a lovely beside manner and really took her time to be present for my mother-in-law.

After a few hours we had been seen by the doctor and a plan was in place, then after blood test results coming back clear we were told we could go home. This was around midnight.  Even at this time of night an ambulance was available to bring my mother in law home.

The ambulance crew again was extremely helpful and helped transfer my mother-in-law into bed and get her settled

A real example of so many parts of the system working well together.  

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Responses

Response from Neil Gillan, Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service 2 months ago
Neil Gillan
Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
Submitted on 23/06/2026 at 16:26
Published on Care Opinion at 16:26


picture of Neil Gillan

Good afternoon, Katherinec

I would like to begin by thanking you for taking the time to share your experience of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. It was heartening to learn of the compassionate and reassuring care provided by both Ambulance crews. Feedback such as this will lift the morale of all those involved in your mother in law’s treatment. I hope she is recovering well.

Best wishes

Neil

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Response from Deborah Ward, General Manager western urgent care, Western Urgent Care, Western Health & Social Care Trust last month
Deborah Ward
General Manager western urgent care, Western Urgent Care,
Western Health & Social Care Trust
Submitted on 01/07/2026 at 10:45
Published on Care Opinion at 10:45


Dear Katherinec,

Many thanks for taking the time so share the details of your recent postitive experience of healthcare services working so well together. We welcomed hearing about your experience of the GP Out of Hours service, and the follow-up care provided by our Partner Services in NIAS and the ED. We always appreciate hearing stories of Patients receiving the standard of care that we all strive to deliver. I hope that your Mother-in-law is now recovering well at home and thank you again for taking the time to share your experience.

Kind Regards

Deborah Ward

General Manager

Western Urgent Care

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