"The nurses and doctors were friendly and professional"

I was admitted to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, following a reaction to antibiotics that I needed to fight a bacterial infection in my foot. After spending some time in the admissions unit (service and care was also good here despite it being very busy, noisy, and the obvious lack of nurses) I was transferred to Ward 51 for an overnight stay for intravenous antibiotics.

The ward was a world away from the admissions ward - it was modern, clean, and quiet. I had my own room and a greater choice of what to watch on TV than I have at home! The nurses on Ward 51 were professional, caring and quietly got on with their job. They went the extra mile to find me an ice pack for my foot and crept in quietly during the night to change my medication.

Once the doctors were happy that I was not allergic to the new medicine they started to plan how to get me home whilst still requiring IV antibiotics. Thankfully I was accepted to attend the OPAT clinic - Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy. What a wonderful model of care available to people in Fife.

The OPAT team are amazing - my foot was actively monitored for change/improvement every day, the cannulas were inserted and changed without drama or pain, the nurses and doctors were friendly and professional and there was even time for some banter! And of course plenty of tea and biscuits while you receive your antibiotics always helps.

But seriously, despite the overhead of travelling to the hospital every day, this model of care was perfect for my situation. I wasn't taking up a valuable bed, I felt supported, well cared for, and also had plenty of time for proper rest at home. The OPAT team are a credit to NHS Fife and I am very thankful for their care.