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neurosurgery at Western General

Posted By foxfield

"neurosurgery at Western General"

About: Neurosciences (DCN) / Neurosurgery

(as the patient),

Referred to neurosurgeon at western general after years of being disbelived by consultants and doctors in NHS Fife that there were problems with my neck and shoulders. Eventually received an MRI Scan which showed 2 vertebrae dislodged and trapping a nerve and neurologist reluctantly agreed to send me to a neurosurgeon although he wouldn't be able to help. It took 3 months for her to bother to contact WGH and I wad seen within 10 weeks of referral. Surgeon was very good and immediately said he could operate to help relieve my pain but advised physio before to try to relieve some of the pain and promised he would see me again all I needed would be to get GP to contact him

physio didn't work and GP wrote to surgeon in mid October 2013. He requested a repeat MRI which had to be done in Fife that's another story of hassle and I saw him on Christmas Eve 2013. He promised I would be operated on before the end of March.

Mid January I duly received admission date for 5th March 2014. Attended for pre check yesterday and received first class treatment from all Staff in the department and felt completely reassured about the whole procedure. Had ECG blood tests and full health check by Junior doctor and also saw the surgeon himself who repeated the full procedure to me and my husband and asked me to sign the consent form.

3 times I have visited outpatients now and never been kept waiting and treated like an individual who needed care.

Hopefully the ward staff tomorrow will follow on with the excellent service and I will write on here after I am discharged.

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Responses

Response from Stuart Wilson, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, NHS Lothian 10 years ago
Stuart Wilson
Director of Communications and Public Affairs,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 14/03/2014 at 15:32
Published on Care Opinion at 15:52

Dear foxfield

Thank you sincerely for taking time out to pass on such positive feedback about your care at the Western General Hospital. I am also sorry that you had such a long journey to end up receiving the treatment you needed.

The treatment and care of patients is our absolute top priority and I am pleased to see that was the case for you.

Our excellent staff place a great emphasis on ensuring our patients are comfortable and well looked after and I am glad that was your experience.

I will pass on your kind comments to the team concerned and hope that you continue to receive such a good service.

If you have any issues going forward please contact us again to let us know.

Best of luck for a full recovery.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by foxfield (the patient)

I had my operation on 6th March and the excellent care continued. I was welcomed onto ward 31 into day of surgery admission room and my husband was made to feel welcome to stay until I went to theatre.

I was seen by both the head anaesthetist and his assistant and my anaesthetic and post surgery pain management were fully discussed and explained. Sonya the nurse in charge of pre op checked everything with me again and prepared me for theatre and I was also seen by a doctor.

I was taken to theatre around 11.30am and on arrival was greeted by the anaesthetist and then by Ashley my nurse assigned during and after my operation until I left recovery.

She told me they were waiting for the correct bed which they intended to use during the operation so that I could get myself into a comfortable position before the anaesthetic as I had limited mobility in my neck.

I was chatting to Ashley whilst the anaesthetist put a line in my left hand and told me I would feel a bit sleepy. The next thing I knew I was woken by Ashley saying it was all over and I was in a hospital bed. I got pain relief and iced water. Mr Fitzpatrick told me operation c6/7 fusion had been successful.

Update posted by foxfield (the patient)

I was cared for on Ward 31 and every member of staff who was involved made my stay comfortable and were extremelycconscientious in carrying out all thr necessary duties.

I was never forgotten about even though I was mobile and the staff were extremely busy with patients needing much greater attention than me.

The nursing staff couldn't have been more caring as were the other mrmbers on the ward bringing tea and fresh water. The physiotherapist was very thorough and answered all my queries and gave me excellent advice on how to aid my recovery. The xray staff very also very good.

I can't remember the names of everyone who looked after me

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