An evening in July at approximately 7pm I was on a motor cruiser at the mouth of Strangford Lough when I fell overboard and my life jacket became entangled in the propeller. Unable to free myself I started to drown and went unconscious . After approximately 4 minutes underwater I was released by my husband and received CPR from friends . The emergency services were called stating CPR in progress due to drowning. I am advised that the inshore lifeboat from Portaferry was launched and arrived quickly . The Helicopter Emergency Service vehicle ( HEMS ) had been dispatched as the helicopter doesn’t fly after 7pm .
When I arrived in Strangford I was transferred to an ambulance with Jenny the paramedic and Dr Barclay an ED consultant from SEHSCT who was on call for the HEMs service - I was assessed by expert clinicians, sedated , intubated and rapidly transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital ED. Once there I was assessed scanned and received expert care . I remained in ward 6S in RICU in the Royal until a week later when I was fit to transfer to ward 7CC .
While in intensive care I initially had limited recollections but my husband, family and friends said that care was exceptional with compassion and communication from every member of the MDT medical , nursing , AHP and ancillary staff . My personal observations were of calm , individualised, compassionate staff who worked as a tight , cohesive team - staff including agency were introduced to one another at the start of a shift and any risks were highlighted - when a bank member of staff looking after me experienced issues logging on to the new Encompass system this was escalated and resolved quickly . Every member of the ward team were friendly, compassionate and professional . Nothing was too much trouble - I felt that they involved me in my treatment plan and cared for me for me as if I was a member of their family .
I was transferred to Ward 7cc and was fortunate to have a single room with an en suite . Again the care from ward staff and the visiting consultants , physios and dieticians was superb. I don’t have the words to adequately express my gratitude for everyone who ensured I was able to return home with no lasting ill effects .
Many people currently complain about healthcare services but I hope that my experience demonstrates the joined up , responsive , patient centred , exceptionally high quality care that is delivered by the RNLI , NIAS, HEMS and Belfast trust .
"Compassionate staff who worked as a tight, cohesive team"
About: Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Air Ambulance/HEMS (Helicopter emergency medical service) Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Air Ambulance/HEMS (Helicopter emergency medical service) Belfast BT8 8SG Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Emergency ambulance response Belfast BT8 8SG Royal Victoria Hospital / Accident & Emergency Royal Victoria Hospital Accident & Emergency BT12 6BA Royal Victoria Hospital / Regional Intensive Care Unit Royal Victoria Hospital Regional Intensive Care Unit Belfast BT12 6BA Royal Victoria Hospital / Respiratory medicine (5B and 7CCB) Royal Victoria Hospital Respiratory medicine (5B and 7CCB) Belfast BT12 6BA
Posted by Service user 2307 (as ),
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