In the early hours of Tuesday morning I called NHS 24 due to concerns about my 11 year old son’s breathing. He had been poorly all day but deteriorated at night, his breathing became effortful and he was showing some worrying signs. Based on his symptoms the nurse on the phone advised they would be sending an ambulance to our house in Kinross.
When the ambulance crew, Callum and Ashleigh, arrived they quickly assessed the situation and started my son on a nebuliser treatment. They both had a calming and reassuring manner and chatted directly to my son which put him at ease as they worked around him. Their friendly approach enabled them to quickly build a trusting relationship with him. They talked through everything they were doing which meant my son understood what was happening and it was also very reassuring for me. We were then taken in the ambulance to Resus at Ninewells Hospital.
On the way to Hospital my son’s heart rate became very fast and he complained of stomach and chest pain. Again the crew responded immediately to this changing situation, Callum pulled over and joined Ashleigh in the back of the ambulance and they worked together whilst reassuring my son throughout.
The doctors and nurses we met in resus at Ninewells and later in the Paediatric Assessment Unit were also very helpful during our stay. My son is now recovering at home thanks to the care he received.
I wanted to write about our experience on care opinion to thank everyone involved in my son’s care but also to ensure that the ambulance crew- Callum (who also works in A&E at Ninewells) and Ashleigh, both from the Perth Ambulance Station, get the recognition they deserve for their excellent work. This could have been a really scary experience for my son but the skills and the approach of the crew meant that he felt supported and reassured throughout. Thank you very much for your help.
"Excellent care"
About: NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) NHS 24 NHS 24 (111 service) Ninewells Hospital / Accident & Emergency Ninewells Hospital Accident & Emergency DD1 9SY Paediatrics / Children's Assessment Unit Paediatrics Children's Assessment Unit DD1 9SY Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance Scottish Ambulance Service Emergency Ambulance EH12 9EB
Posted by VJMc (as ),
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