"Sudden acute pain"

I started experiencing sharp pain in my lower right abdomen and vomiting very hard early in the afternoon and feeling very ill. I attended Antrim Area Hospital A&E around 4pm. The receptionist was really kind and helpful, getting to the important info needed for the visit. Waited very minimal time to be seen by triage, again staff in triage were brilliant.

Was taken around to minors department very shortly after, the 2 nurses working minors department on this Saturday evening and minors Dr and the surgeon who came down to see me , I thank you so much for my care, you made a very very frightened woman feel safe and calm with your professionalism, friendliness and skills. During my time in minors I had to go for a CT scan, again time spent waiting was minimal, the radiographer was brilliant, I've never had a CT scan before and have a fear of things over my head, she explained everything and put me at ease.

Not long after the CT , I was allocated a bed in ward C1 about 12am, what can I say about the nursing staff in this ward, they are worth their weight in gold, one nurse stands out to me (shelly) , what a fantastic nurse you have on your team. Friendly, answered all my questions, her ability and clinical skills and knowledge were 1st class. The nurse that took over her in the morning (Sylvie) another amazing asset to your team, sorted my meds out really quick and helped settle my anxiety regarding letting my family know what was happening with me as my phone battery had died and id had no contact with my family from the night before. Id a diagnosis of kidney stones.

Would also like to say as a fellow employee of NHSCT , who is getting to grips with encompass , I was in awe of all the staff i came into contact with using the system, even managed to pick up a few tips myself from watching them. Overall I thank you all for my care , especially under the immense pressures of winter , staffing levels and adapting to a new system and I am very grateful.