"Day Care Patient"

Day care patient .I have just returned to my home town, some 250 miles distant from The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, and all I can say is it was well worth the trip! During three days of tests, reviews and consultations, I was treated respectfully and given clear information by everyone I met, whether they were clinical or non- clinical members of staff. Procedures were carefully explained and conducted swiftly and professionally . The duty charge nurse oversaw timetabling for the events of each day, and kept me very well informed of what would be happening and when. If there were foreseen delays , I was advised of these, and could make my own arrangements for something to do in the interim, rather than just sit and wait. I was privileged to see two consultants and a registrar, who left me in no doubt of their extraordinarily high levels of skill, knowledge , experience and commitment, while remaining accessible and human. They took the time to really listen to the information I needed to relay. My only suggestion regarding potential room for improvement would be with the pre- planned timetabling for two of my procedures. A lumbar puncture had been arranged for the afternoon following a morning MRI, but the MRI needed a degree of interpretation before the lumbar puncture could safely happen. The window for this interpretation was tight, so for safety's sake the lumbar puncture was re- scheduled for the following day, that is, after the MRI had been viewed. I had been anxious about this particular procedure, so had a second sleepless night anticipating what was to come. If the MRI had been arranged for one day, and the lumbar puncture the next, someone else might have benefited from my 'missed' first lumbar puncture appointment. With hindsight , I need not have worried about the procedure. Two doctors were in attendance for the lumbar puncture, and their care and skill made the experience as pain - free as possible for me. So, a heartfelt thank- you to all. I hope my future visits to Queen's Square continue to be such positive , productive experiences to help inform me about and manage my condition more effectively.