"Minor Injuries Mid Ulster Hospital"

About: Mid-Ulster Hospital / Minor Injuries Unit

(as a service user),

I had to take my 5 year old non verbal autistic child to minor injuries in the Mid Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt. He had fallen the previous evening and his foot remained slightly swollen so the school had sent him home thinking something was broken. 

When we arrived, the check in process was simple. We were told to wait in the waiting area and within minutes our son was called by two wonderful members of staff. I unfortunately did not get either of their names but the way in which they both dealt with our child was amazing. We explained that he was non verbal and autistic and they couldn’t have been more understanding or empathetic. They listened to what we said about making things easier for him and they processed him through minor injuries as quickly as possibly. He was sent for an X-ray and whilst we waited he got slightly distressed. Another wonderful member of staff came out to check on him and reassured us they were trying to get him his X-ray as quickly as possible. She took the time to engage with him, which I just thought so kind. 

He was quickly called to X-ray and the lady performing this was equally as lovely. She took my lead on what would work best and spent time reassuring our son and letting him familiarise himself with the surroundings. Although it wasn’t easy for her to perform an X-Ray on him, he coped so well because of her understanding. 

Thankfully within minutes of the X-Ray being completed we were back in the minor injuries department with the wonderful 3 members of staff we had met originally. Nothing was broken and we were allowed to go home. It was a really wonderful care experience from amazing staff from the very start to finish. Having experienced such a lack of understanding the previous week this was so refreshing to realise these people exist within our NHS. 

Thank you to you all - you have simply no idea how much your understanding meant to us as a family. 

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Responses

Response from Victoria McCrory, Assistant Clinical Services Manager, Medicine and Emergency Medicine, NHSCT last month
Victoria McCrory
Assistant Clinical Services Manager, Medicine and Emergency Medicine,
NHSCT
Submitted on 10/02/2025 at 13:35
Published on Care Opinion at 13:35


Hello fiona88

My name is Victoria McCrory and I am the Assistant Clinical Services Manager for MUH MIU. I am very sorry to hear that your son recently sustained an injury and had to attend the unit for assessment.

I am delighted to hear that whilst attending the unit both yourself and your son had a positive experience. It is widely researched and documented that patients with autism can find medical environments overwhelming, and I am delighted to hear that staff were understanding, empathetic and took appropriate actions to make your sons visit as smooth for him as it possibly could have been.

Thank you for taking the time to leave us this positive feedback. Positive feedback reminds staff of the fabulous care they continue to deliver, despite the ongoing pressures they face. I will ensure this feedback is shared widely with the team.

I hope your son continues to make a strong recovery.

Yours Sincerely

Victoria McCrory

ACSM MUH MIU

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