"'Nurturing Nursing'"

I spoke to the receptionist to book my smear test and during the conversation I expressed concerns about my blood pressure, which I monitor at home. The receptionist listened and was very kind and she booked a double appointment for me with the nurse to have the smear test and to discuss my blood pressure concerns.

When I saw the nurse a few days later, she was really nice and calming, as I was anxious, and she gave me some tips for losing some weight and increasing physical activity, which were things important to me. She also gave me a blood pressure recording sheet for 7 days. She also asked me about my caring role, which was compassionate and a question no health professional has ever asked me before. The nurse was really interested in how I was looking after myself whilst caring.

I recorded my blood pressure for 7 days and dropped the results off for the nurse. The same day, I received a telephone call to say that my blood pressure was normal, and this was very reassuring. The nurse had averaged it out over a week and although it was high in the mornings, it dropped during the afternoon and evening.

The receptionist and nurse at the surgery showed real person-centred care and I was listened to and not lectured....it has reduced my anxiety for future appointments.