"Congratulations Nurses, Pull your socks up..."

My husband had to go into hospital at 7.15 in the morning & was not operated on until 5 that evening. Thanks to the wonderful nurses I was allowed to wait with him & they did everything they could to make us feel safe & welcome. Not so the Doctors I'm afraid with one notable exception. My husband had a heart attack during the administration of the aneasthetic the first time around, so we were very concerned when the same anaethetist was in attendance. We had expected them to reassure us & explain their plan, step by step, as previous other anaethetists had been more than willing to do in the circumstances. Unfortuanetly for us, their attitude lacked any empathy or reassurance that they appreciated and understood our concern. To cap it all, the Consultant who was operating, was very brusque with us for taking so much of the anaethetist's time. We were very upset & could not understand why we were being treated in this way when we had done absolutely nothing wrong. At this point the Doctor was standing nearby & I asked if they would talk to us. The Doctor saw our distress & spent time explaining & giving us the help & encouragement so lacking in the other senior Doctors. The Doctor was totally professional at all times, but also had the human touch with their patients, which to our mind makes this an outstanding Doctor & individual.

I met the Doctor again after the operation & they were every bit as professional & helpful & we cannot thank the Doctor enough along with the nurses.