"Outstanding Care"

One hears so many criticisms of the NHS that I felt it important to make it known that the treatment received by my wife, suffering from dementia, and myself as her carer, has been and I am sure will continue to be second to none. From the time that my wife’s GP, at the Lilliput Surgery in Elms Avenue, Poole referred her to Alderney Hospital at Parkstone, Poole, the sympathetic and professional care she has received has been of the highest order. My wife first came under the supervision of the Intermediate Care Service for Dementia and was visited at home mostly twice a day where the team administered her drugs and monitored her progress. The consultant visited me personally along with their team of highly competent and caring nurses. Unfortunately, it became necessary to section my wife under the appropriate Mental Health Act and she was admitted to Herm Ward at Alderney Hospital. My wife’s health, after some six weeks, has improved dramatically and she should be discharged shortly with the appropriate drug supervision and after care. The consultant has been excellent and the team of senior and junior nurses in the ward have been nothing less than superb. The care provided in the ward has been consistently sympathetic, caring and most of all highly professional. As far as I could see, all the other patients were treated with a level of care and dignity that indicates to me the excellent training they must have received. Also, my wife celebrated her 72nd birthday in the ward and the staff made a special cake for her, gave her a birthday card and, led by the excellent entertainments person, sang a hearty “Happy Birthday”. What can I say – thank you does not seem enough.