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"A horrific way to find out such life-changing news"

About: General practices in Ayrshire & Arran University Hospital Ayr / Neurology

(as a relative),

My husband found out recently that he has Parkinson's Disease - after it had been ruled out following his MRI and CT Scan.

A doctor at our GP practice told us they would ask for an urgent appointment to Neurology to try and find out the reason for his continuing symptoms. At my husband's appointment with a Consultant Neurologist at University Hospital Ayr, he was told he had Parkinson's. This was totally out of the blue and a horrific way to find out such life changing news as he was on his own.  He was not advised to take anyone with him. We’re in shock and angry that, after being told he didn’t have Parkinson’s, to find out that he actually does have it.

My husband came home with a letter to give his GP asking for a prescription for medication. He couldn’t tell me if he was told how it could help. That’s all he was told I think. I wasn’t there to hear what exactly was said but my husband says he was asked to follow a healthy diet and he had to ask what his prognosis was. He wasn’t given information on what to expect moving forward like symptoms worsening, how to improve these or information on support groups which we now both very much need.

When I explained this to the receptionist at our practice, she said he’d have to make an appointment with one of their GPs to discuss that. It felt like they were treating him as if he had been diagnosed with flu instead of a potentially life threatening, serious condition.

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Responses

Response from Pamela Gibson, Patient Experience Facilitator, Nursing, NHS Ayrshire and Arran last month
Pamela Gibson
Patient Experience Facilitator, Nursing,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Monitor stories and provide administration for NHS Ayrshire & Arran

Submitted on 25/02/2025 at 16:13
Published on Care Opinion at 16:13


picture of Pamela Gibson

Dear cartvale

Thank you so much for taking the time to share feedback on your healthcare experience with us via Care Opinion

I am very sorry to read about the situation you have described. Please be assured that this is not the person centred care that we strive to provide. Whilst we always aim to provide care that is safe, caring and respectful, we do recognise that sometimes we get it wrong. When we do, we are committed to learning and improving. Hearing experiences, good and bad, directly from our patients or their relatives is one of the best ways for us to capture this valuable feedback.

Unfortunately, it is difficult for us to look into specific concerns raised as Care Opinion is completely anonymous. However, I would like you to know that I have passed your comments to the Service Manager so that your husband’s experience can be shared with the wider Team for reflection and learning.

Please accept my best wishes and thank you once again for taking the time to acknowledge your husband’s care experience.

Kind Regards

Pamela

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Response from Danielle McNaught, Business Manager, Primary and Urgent Care, NHS Ayrshire & Arran last month
Danielle McNaught
Business Manager, Primary and Urgent Care,
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Submitted on 27/02/2025 at 10:42
Published on Care Opinion at 10:42


Dear cartvale

Thank you for taking the time to share feedback on your husband's health care experience with us. I am very sorry to hear of the issues you have raised.

I am responding on behalf of Primary Care Services. If you have any specific concerns in relation to your husband's registered GP Practice, I can ensure that these are passed on to them to make them aware of your comments and feedback.

If you wish for me to do so, please can you send an email to HSCPAdmin@east-ayrshire.gov.uk (marked for the attention of Primary Care) providing your details and the name of the GP Practice you are registered with. If you wish to remain anonymous, we can feed back your comments to the GP Practice for their awareness and learning.

Thank you once again for taking the time to share your experience. I am very sorry it was not positive on this occasion.

Kind regards

Danielle

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