"Treatment for unbearable pain"

I write with reference to my recent experience at Romford Queens Hospital. You will be pleased to know this is a letter of appreciation and not a complaint. We are all too quick to complain and not so quick to compliment when an exceptional service has been experienced.

My condition consisted of a prolapsed disc at level L5 S1.  In March the pain became unbearable so much so I could not even crawl to the toilet. My surgery was not planned until the end of April so you can probably imagine how anxious I was becoming. I was in contact with the specialist nurse at Stanmore Hospital who requested I attend Romford hospital as they have a designated spinal unit.

Initially I attempted to go by car laying as flat as possible in the rear but this exasperated the pain further and I had to return home. My only option was to request an ambulance.

Initially I was taken to Harlow hospital but as my condition deteriorated it became evident I needed an urgent MRI scan and I was subsequently transferred to Romford Hospital in the early hours of next day. I can honestly say the service I received was second to none from everybody I came in contact with.

Within an hour I received an urgent MRI scan and to speed things up I was taken to the MRI unit by nurses as there were no porters available. I have no names but would like to thank those nurses as this sped up the whole process. Fortunately the MRI scan did not report any further damage so I was admitted to a ward. The care and professionalism I received was again first class. My pain was manageable but the nurses had to administer liquid morphine through the night but again I would press for assistance and within a few minutes I was being attended to.

The following day I became aware that my surgeon (Mr Casey) had re-scheduled my operation date which was now only 10 days away. In view of this the consultants discussed with me the option to have a nerve blocker injection or be transferred back to Harlow. After further discussions it was felt the best way forward was to have the nerve blocker injection and then go home and await the operation.

Again the advice and guidance I received was brilliant and I was involved in every step. Although initially the nerve blocker did not work, it did take effect several days later allowing me to stand up right before my surgery took place. A turn around I could not have imagined after the excruciating pain I was suffering only days before.

You hear so much bad press about the NHS and the horror stories from others but I can honestly say my total experience from the food, porters, reception staff, nurses and Doctors was first class. I wish I could thank each and every one of them but hope this letter goes some way into showing my appreciation.

Kind Regards.