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Care Opinion

Staff helped reduce the impact of my hospital visit

Posted By Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland

"Staff helped reduce the impact of my hospital visit"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Radiology Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Patient care services Outpatients Department / Fracture Clinic

(as the patient),

Although waiting 2 weeks to get an x-ray due to transport problem, I arrived 2 hours early for my appointment at Altnagelvin Fracture Day Clinic in November 2023 (via planned ambulance stretcher) due to having injured and broken my arm on frame of home hospital bed.

I suffer from severe M.E. (Myalgic Encephomyelitis) and along with many other symptoms, travel also causes disorientation, confusion, increased pain and sensitivity on top of cognitive dysfunction making it difficult to communicate.

The staff had very minimal information about me or the fact I have severe M.E. (Myalgic Encephomyelitis ) POTS, Fibromyalgia and other health issues/needs, and would require assistance whilst there, yet they were all extremely understanding and patient and due to their actions, I had less seizures than I usually would in such circumstances.

Staff kept lights off during the clinic lunch closure then put me into a different room with blinds and door closed. Moving to X ray they turned off main lighting in corridors and X ray dept. Again, their actions minimised the impact of noise and light intolerances. Had the staff not done so, it would have left me only able to communicate via speech and language aids.

The ward sister ensured I had food, fluids and attended to personal care whilst I was there. She also arranged admission to a ward for evening as no ambulance had arrived for me to go home and the day clinic was closing.

I still haven't recovered to baseline from the exertion of this essential journey and being in hospital but I am certain their actions helped lessen the inevitable payback and deterioration of health following any hospital appointment. I was left me able to function and remain as independent as possible while there, and ensure my kids were okay.

M.E. is a chronic, multi-system, neurological disease where symptoms are worsened by minimal, physical or cognitive exertion, I am therefore very grateful to the staff at Altnagelvin Fracture Day Clinic who ensured my complex needs were attended to.

Seeing the whole me

Seeing the whole me


Being listened to

Being listened to


Nurses

Nurses


Doctor

Doctor


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Responses

Response from Joanne McFeely, Clinical Specialist, Radiology Department Altnagelvin Hosspital, WHSCT 4 months ago
Joanne McFeely
Clinical Specialist, Radiology Department Altnagelvin Hosspital,
WHSCT

Submitted on 04/12/2023 at 10:17
Published on Care Opinion at 10:17

Hi Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland

Thank you for posting these comments on your experiences during your most recent visit to Altnagelvin.

It helps our staff to have insight into the many difficulties our patients must face in order to attend a hospital appointment. I am glad to read that the staff you met displayed patience, care & understanding. Sometimes in life it is the smallest gesture that can have the biggest impact. I will pass these reassuring words onto our Radiology staff and wish you well in the future

Kind Regards

Joanne McFeely

Assistant Radiology Services Manager

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Response from Sandra Barr, Ward Manager Fracture Clinic Outpatients Department Altnagelvin Hospital, Acute, WHSCT 4 months ago
Sandra Barr
Ward Manager Fracture Clinic Outpatients Department Altnagelvin Hospital, Acute,
WHSCT

Submitted on 06/12/2023 at 11:54
Published on Care Opinion at 11:54

Dear Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland,

Thank you for your kind post.I recall your visit to our clinic.Staff and I were very much guided by you letting us know your needs when you attended clinic.I am glad that our actions minimised any impact of further distress for you.I have shared your post with the team who are encouraged by it.We wish you onward good health.

Kind regards

Sandra[Fracture Clinic sister]

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Response from Neil Gillan, Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service 4 months ago
Neil Gillan
Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Submitted on 06/12/2023 at 15:52
Published on Care Opinion at 15:52

picture of Neil Gillan

Good afternoon Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland,

I would like to begin by thanking you for taking the time to share your recent experience of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service – Patient Care Service. As an organisation we are committed to consistently showing compassion, professionalism and respect for the patients we care for, so it was disappointing to learn of your experience and I wish to apologise on behalf of the service. Please be assured that we are working closely with the Department of Health and the Strategic Planning and Performance Group to increase our available resources that we can better meet the needs of our local community. Apologies once again.

Best wishes

Neil

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