"The dictionary definition of what a doctor should be"

About: The Ulster Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I recently had to attend A&E at The Ulster Hospital on the evening ( a 14-hour stay into the next morning).

To cut a long story short, I was there with a severe pain in my left side going round into my left lower back. I had been there was a long time before I finally got to see a doctor and I was very tired and in considerable pain. The doctor I finally did get to see was called Rebecca. I just wanted to pass on my thanks personally to Rebecca but also hopefully this is seen by her boss or similar.

I haven't always had the best of experiences with the NHS or its staff and while I pride myself on treating everyone the same way they treat me, I would also be a really harsh critic if I feel that I haven't been treated well. But I am delighted to report that in this instance it has probably been the best experience I have ever had with a doctor, and who knew it would be after a 12-hour long wait in an A&E department of all places?

Rebecca was very friendly, very patient (I was very sleep deprived and probably not making much sense) and really took the time to try and help find out what was wrong with me. Even through it was very busy A&E department Rebecca seemed to go out of her way to make me feel not rushed or a nuisance to her. She displayed a great deal of care and attention and was both friendly and professional and clearly she was born to be a doctor.

Once I was assigned to her, my long A&E wait suddenly went very fast, I was given tests and x-rays very quickly and was not left to wait long at all before I was called back to discuss the results. She put a sore, tired and very grumpy me at ease (no small feat) and done absolutely everything she could to help me and it was and is greatly appreciated and I already told her to her face but in black and white she is by a considerable margin the nicest doctor I have ever dealt with in both NHS or Private Medical care sectors, and as a proud father of a daughter I can only hope that whatever career field my daughter chooses that she approaches it with the same attitude and professionalism that Rebecca clearly brings to her own. 

So as I say hopefully this gets seen by Dr Rebecca and someone in a management role at the Ulster's A&E department, she is the dictionary definition of what a doctor should be in 2025 and she is a credit to the department, the hospital and her profession and I only wish my vocabulary allowed me to better express my appreciation for her help. 

Thanks again.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Jennifer Nicholson, Lead Nurse - Emergency Care, Emergency Medicine - A&E, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust 2 days ago
Jennifer Nicholson
Lead Nurse - Emergency Care, Emergency Medicine - A&E,
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 14/03/2025 at 10:27
Published on Care Opinion at 10:27


Hi belfastrab

Thank you for telling us of your experience when attending the Ulster ED. I appreciate your very positive feedback despite you having a long wait to be assessed in the ED. I will pass on your comments to both Rebecca and her medical leads to ensure her professionalism and attitude is acknowledged. It is very much appreciated that you have taken the time to pass on your praise Rebecca.

I hope you are keeping well.

Regards

Jenny

ED Lead Nurse

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k