"Experience of urgent care department"

For some weeks I have been suffering from bouts of dizziness if I bend down and then stand up suddenly. I had seen my GP on the Friday and was told that I had a condition of hypotension, possibly as a result of my taking Candersartin 4mg for several years. On the following Sunday I suffered another attack of dizziness after bending forward & then a short time later I was standing up talking to someone when I suddenly found I could not speak or move. It lasted for about 30 seconds but in view of this episode my wife took me to the Urgent Care Centre at Royal Blackburn Hospital. On reporting to Reception I said that I thought I might have suffered a TIA . I was seen immediately by a triage nurse who took down the details and told me I was to have blood tests and an ECG. After a relatively short wait of no more than 20 minutes I had these. I was then told it would be up to an hour and a half wait to get the results. As the department was very busy I was moved into a Staff Huddle room so that the stroke sister could interview me and carry out a series of mental and neurological tests. The sister was extremely efficient and most reassuring, telling me that in all probability I had not had a stroke but was suffering from hypotension due to the Candersatin. This was then confirmed by the duty Doctor who advised that I should stop taking the Candersartin forthwith and that they would write to my GP to confirm this. They also confirmed that all my blood tests and ECG results were satisfactory. This was most reassuring. The whole procedure from start to finish had taken exactly three hours, which, in view of the fact that the Department was extremely busy, was admirable. I want to place on record the excellent & extremely efficient care that I received from all the medical staff who treated me & who were professional & kindly in their approach at all times. They were all a credit to the Royal Blackburn Hospital & to their profession.