"Invaluable DVT screening service"

I had a painful swollen right calf, which had persisted for week and was getting worse. Being a health care professional, I knew I needed to get it examined. I was referred by my excellent GP, who had seen me for a 5 minute emergency appointment and having briefly examined, me rang the Westbourne Centre and faxed over my referral form. I was seen within 15 minutes of attending my GP.

As it is a local service (very nearby my GP surgery and my home) it was so convenient. I had dreaded being sent to the city centre infirmary with long waiting times and possible admission. The nurse practitioner who looked after me was reassuring, professional and friendly. I could see that she had given me a thorough physical examination, as well as taking a detailed history. She was also able to explain what my treatment options would be and to reassure me that I could have relevant blood tests and Doppler Ultrasound Scanning, immediately and be commenced on treatment from the centre if there a DVT was definitely suspected.

The sonographer scanned me and because she could not detect two of the smaller, deeper veins and another appointment was arranged for the following week, but the signs were all reassuring. The next weeks' appointment went similarly smoothly. The service has a friendly atmosphere, in a clean environment and I think it is invaluable to prevent the backlogs on busy NHS tertiary hospital wards.