I suffered sudden onset excruciating pain at home late at night, to the extent I struggled to get breath. My wife rang the OOH GP who advised an emergency ambulance was required. NIAS had no ambulances available but advised my wife and teenage son that there was a defib at a nearby shop. My wife got help from a neighbour and somehow managed to get me into the car.
On arrival at Craigavon A&E, two paramedics tending to another patient assisted in getting me into the A&E. My thanks to them both for their kind assistance and checking in on me after.
I was brought straight through to the triage room and into a bay where I was seen to my a team of nurses and a doctor. I cannot explain how much pain I was in, I couldn't walk, I was grunting and gasping in agony as I struggled to breath. The nurses and doctor were a source of reassurance from the outset. Their professionalism in remaining so calm in a challenging situation cannot be underestimated.
They gathered information and quickly set about administering medication while keeping me informed. For me it was a calm, composed professional response coupled with genuine human care and compassion that shone through from that team. I couldn't have asked for a better team of nurses and doctors to care for me at that time.
I returned to A&E the following day by appointment for a CT scan. Again the level of care provided by all the staff in a busy A&E that seen patient after patient arrive was excellent. Thank you to the CT scan team for your time and patience, for showing care and genuine empathy.
Overall in my view what I experienced was a busy, over run and challenging health system held together by a team of dedicated, committed, professional and compassionate people. It is only for the nurses, doctors and staff who show up every day and work long, arduous shifts in the most challenging of environments caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable, afraid, in pain and in need of care.
To the doctor and nurses who looked after me, I will never forget your kind care and assistance, you are all truly amazing people.
"Dedicated, committed, professional and compassionate people"
About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Emergency Department Craigavon Area Hospital Emergency Department BT63 5QQ Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Emergency ambulance response Belfast BT8 8SG
Posted by p@u1 (as ),