"Wonderful, compassionate staff"

I recently had two short stays at the Royal Alexandra ICU, both times admitted as an emergency through A&E.

Until this month, I'd never been to an intensive care unit before, so it was a scary experience at first, but from the moment the resus doctor passed me over to the ICU team in the middle of the night, I felt in safe hands. The nursing staff in particular were kind, compassionate, understanding and occasionally funny, while always being highly professional at the same time. I'd like to say a special thank you to Tracy and Paul, the dream team, whose banter and stories distracted me from all the scary things going on. 

I was a lot less conscious/aware of my surroundings during my second stay, but finding after being extubated that the nurses had braided my hair while I'd been unconscious felt like a symbol of their care. I wish I could remember the name of the nurse who talked to me when I was fully awake again, Ellaine or Aileen maybe, but some of the things she said really stayed with me. 

I don't think a stay in ICU can ever be described as a wonderful experience, but both the nurses and the doctors here really are a credit to the hospital and the NHS. As much as I never want to end up in intensive care again, it's been a better experience there than on any other ward/department I've been on at the RAH.