"Amazing care and understanding from the doctor"

On Saturday night I started to experience swelling and itching in my hands. When I woke up on Sunday, the swelling had started to travel up my wrist and my eyelid had also started swelling.

As I am pregnant, I started to feel really worried at how fast the swelling and pain was increasing so I rang 111. They made me an appointment at the Douglas Street Health Clinic to be seen in person. When I arrived, I was seen quickly by the nurses to have my vitals taken and then I was seen by Dr Coates.

Dr Coates was hugely understanding about my concerns and didn’t make me feel like I was being hysterical or silly for calling in. He explained why my hands were swollen, he explained the medicine I needed to take and he showed me the safety advice around the medicine so I knew for sure it was pregnancy safe. He explained he knew that being given all the information possible was one of the most helpful things when you’re experiencing pregnancy for the first time as it feels like uncharted territory (which is exactly how I feel!).

He was so empathic, kind and reassuring and it was clear he is passionate about giving patients his time so they can understand what’s happening with their health. I am so grateful to have been so quickly and efficiently and Dr Coates was outstanding! I appreciate his efforts and care so much.