"I came away reassured that everything was going to be ok"

I was invited to attend ENT clinic at Ninewells hospital.

This was a nervous appointment for me. My new symptoms that I was experience were altering my hearing and balance.

From the beginning I felt welcome. The nurse popped her head out the clinic and said hello to me, with a smile. A simple but incredible thing to do for someone. I felt welcome and that I was in safe hands.

I was seen on time and welcomed in to a lovely, clean clinic room. The doctor who seen me could not have been nicer if she tried. She was patient, gentle, excellent at listening. She understood my anxiety about my symptoms.

I was then seen by the audiologist. Again, kind, patient, understanding. Whilst being seen by the audiologist the HCA's had a wee chat with my Mum. She was also a bit anxious. This simple wee chat about the weather and other nonsense just makes people feel welcome and relaxed.

I was then seen again by the ENT reg. We went over my audiology results in depth. 

I came away from clinic with the symptoms I went in with. Honestly, I was looking for a miracle to fix my hearing and balance. But I also came away reassured that everything was going to be ok. I smiled for the first time in a week.

Simple communication cannot be underestimated - It really made my clinic experience a positive one.