"Outstanding care"

I’ve seen a lot of negative things in the news regarding the NHS recently, and decided that I’d come here to share some much needed positivity about my own care experience.

I’d woke up in the early hours of the morning with a very, very swollen leg and unable to bend my knee. I had been working over the festive period and had no known injury, other than putting my weight on that leg after a small trip over a bag that wasn’t a full impact injury or a full fall, more of a wobble.

After my shift and lots of self care, I called NHS24 as the night went on I was becoming even more immobile, and as an active person this was completely out of character. I had expected to wait for a few hours to get through. I got through after around 40 minutes, and I can’t remember the call handler's name or the nurse's name, however both were extremely kind, caring and understanding, despite the pressure and the uncertainty as to whether I had actually injured my knee . My call was completed within 10 minutes and I was referred on and awaited a call back.

Again, I did expect a long wait for this due to the holiday, which I didn’t mind. I received a call back 30 minutes later, and offered to either attend A&E and self present that night but warned there would be a wait, or go for an appointment the next day. Due to the rapid increase in my pain, I decided to self present and the doctor said this was understandable.

On arrival at Ninewells, I was triaged by a nurse within 25 minutes and she was concerned about the swelling and pain. 30 minutes later, a doctor came round and got me from the waiting area, and I have never met a nicer doctor in my life. She was extremely empathetic, and arranged X-rays for me, walked me round to the X-ray department, and then post X-ray I was fitted with a brace and she advised I’d be referred to a knee specialist clinic, but if anything worsened to please just come back. The compassion and the care I received was unlike any other visit to the department I’ve had, this doctor truly went above and beyond to make sure I was okay.

I was seen by a physiotherapist at the Orthopaedic/Fracture Clinic who has now referred me on to have an MRI, as it seems to be an MCL or meniscus injury. Since this appointment I have seen my GP, who has diagnosed me with hypermobility, further explaining why a small twist could injure my knee so badly, and why I’ve had so many injuries.

Every single person I met on my care journey has been very kind and compassionate despite the pressures, and made it feel like any normal day. Not once was I made to feel like I was being a bother. From my initial call to 111 at 18:20 to having my partner pick me up from A&E at 23:30, having X-rays and all sorts done too, this was incredible considering the pressures.

Thank you to all :)