"I can’t believe how efficiently I have been treated"

I phoned the GP service early in the morning on Saturday thinking there would be someone there but the message on their phone directed me to the 111 number.

The problem I had was that on the previous day I had a spot on my leg, overnight my leg had become swollen and the spot was seeping a sticky fluid. The young lady who took the call told me keep the line clear and a doctor would call me back within a few minutes. True to their word a doctor did call me within a very short time and after going through a few questions advised me to get down to the Hillingdon Hospital where he would make an appointment for me to be seen by a doctor. I called a taxi to get to the hospital where I was seem almost immediately.

At the hospital they did a very thorough examination, they seemed less concerned about my leg and explained they were more concerned about the fluid on my chest. The hospital gave me a week’s supply of diuretic tablets and advised me to see my GP.

I went back home on the bus. From calling 111 at 8: 30 am I was back at home after having been seen at the hospital at 11: 15 – it was remarkable.

When I called the doctor the following week and explained to them what had happened, although they had offered me an appointment in April they fitted me in earlier, arranged for a blood test and for a chest x-ray. I’ll be going to the doctor’s tomorrow to get the results.

I can’t believe how efficiently I have been treated, they have all worked together to give me an excellent service.