"Cannot praise them enough"

I was away on a weekend break in Loch Lomond with my husband. Suddenly, with no warning, I got a shooting pain in my left hand. My left hand 'curled' up and I could not straighten it out at all! Agony!!

I went to vale of leven hospital as it was the nearest, where after 4 hours wait, and x rays, the staff there had no idea what the problem was. They told me that it was not broken or dislocated and suggested that I go back to my local hospital in Dumfries.

The following afternoon, I did just that and I am so glad I did!! The treatment I received was first class and beyond!! I was seen by a lovely nurse within 10 mins of arriving. She assured me that I wouldn't leave without an explanation as to what the problem was. 10 mins later I was seen by an orthopaedic specialist, who looked at my x rays (from vale of leven). He agreed that there were no broken bones so he brought in another consultant for a second opinion. He instantly recognised the problem as 'Trigger' finger and explained that he could try and manipulate my hand back into 'normality'. A 4th member of staff came and gave me morphine and gas and air to help numb the pain of this (agonising!) procedure.

Within minutes my hand released! I cannot praise the 4 members of staff that treated me highly enough! They were calming and professional throughout and the expertise of the 2 consultants ensured I left the hospital with hand completely back to normal.

What a service!!! I feel so grateful the the all the staff that helped me---and made a cup of tea for my traumatised husband! I feel so lucky that I was seen by such brilliant professionals! This all took place in the A and E dept at Dumfries Infirmary