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Care Opinion

Exemplary Care Given To Severe M.E. Patient

Posted By Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland

"Exemplary Care Given To Severe M.E. Patient"

About: Belfast City Hospital / Coronary Care Unit Belfast City Hospital / Heart failure ambulatory care day clinic Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response Royal Victoria Hospital / Accident & Emergency

(as a volunteer/advocate),

Very high praise to our Ambulance service & The Royal (RVH) A&E.

I went into continuous Atrial Fibrillation this morning, ambulance arrived in under 10 minutes. Ambulance team very much M.E (Myalgic encephalomyelitis) aware & very receptive to understanding of my ‘rare’ disease Fluoroquinolone (Toxicity) Associated Disability. They initially asked me if I was willing to go to hospital as a non M.E patient would be taken in the circumstances I was experiencing. Thorough checks detected Bundle Branch block & because these were different symptoms I was experiencing from my normal & stats were opposite to my normal (elevated), on their advice and with my permission/agreement I was taken to A&E 🚑.

On arrival I was admitted immediately & handover explained that I’ve M.E & Fluoroquinolone Toxicity. Also shielding as Immune compromised, Clinically Vulnerable to Covid 19 & other infections. Having Fluoroquinolone Toxicity first line treatments of Steroids & Anti Inflammatories are contraindicated. Also not able to tolerate aspirin. Special care was given to me as an M.E patient & CV. Staff were immediate in giving me my own space & I overheard staff being requested to wear face masks 😷. I was kept on a bed & able to lie in a quiet side bay. The staff were most attentive to my needs.

Once stable they informed me I was being transferred to Belfast City Hospital Ambulatory Cardiac Unit. The RVH Doctor was very M.E aware & released me home to await admission to BCH, he acknowledged when I said I would be going into PEM (Post-exertional malaise) & crash and agreed it would be better to be at home as it was of more detriment to me to be in the A&E department. I was instructed to phone ambulance/contact them if any issues or symptoms return.

I’m so thankful & extremely grateful for the excellent care I received.

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Responses

Response from Ruairi Cummings, Graduate Intern, Quality & Safety Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service 12 months ago
Ruairi Cummings
Graduate Intern, Quality & Safety Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Supports the Patient Experience Team

Submitted on 24/05/2023 at 15:40
Published on Care Opinion at 15:40

picture of Ruairi Cummings

Good afternoon

I am grateful to you for taking the time to share your experiences of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. It was greatly encouraging to learn of the high professionalism of the paramedics who attended to the call swiftly and promptly, even more so for their awareness of Myalgic encephalomyelitis and the specific circumstances surrounding it; including the most suitable/comfortable method of arriving to the emergency department for further treatment. As an organisation we are committed to consistently show compassion, professionalism and respect for the patients we care for.

I would like to share your feedback with the clinicians who attended to you on the day and in order to locate them I would require the following information:

Date and approximate time of the incident

The address the ambulance was dispatched to

If you are happy to share this information I can be contacted at

ruairi.cummings@nias.hscni.net

I wish you the best with your recuperation.

Ruairi Cummings

PPI Opportunities

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service are currently developing a range of opportunities for Service Users, Carers and members of the public to inform the planning, delivery and evaluation of its service. To find our more please visit Current Opportunities - Engage (hscni.net) or email Neil Gillan at neil.gillan@nias.hscni.net

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Update posted by Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland (a volunteer/advocate)

Thank you Ruairi, we will certainly convey your response to the patient concerned and contact you directly with the outcome. The charity offers free M.E. information packs and awareness sessions for healthcare providers, please feel free to contact us directly if any of our services could be of further benefit.

Kindest regards

Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland

https://hope4mefibro.org/

Response from Linsey Sheerin, Divisional Nurse, Urgent and Emergency Care, Emergency Care, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 9 months ago
Linsey Sheerin
Divisional Nurse, Urgent and Emergency Care, Emergency Care,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 08/08/2023 at 18:55
Published on Care Opinion at 18:55

Dear Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland,

My Name is Linsey Sheerin, I am the Divisional Nurse for the Emergency Departments at Belfast Trust. I sincerely apologise for the delay in responding to your feedback. Reading your comments makes me exceptionally proud of our staff, who work tirelessly under very challenging circumstances. The importance of an excellent handover from the ambulance service is crucial so that we can rapidly prioritise patients needs and your experience is an example of this at its best.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience on Care Opinion, please do not underestimate the impact your kind words will have on staff.

I hope you are currently well.

Linsey

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Update posted by Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland (a volunteer/advocate)

Dear Lindsey

Thank you, your response today is very welcome and reassuring, as we mark the annual designated ‘World Severe ME Day’ 8th August.

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