"Great care from the Health Service"

I want to thank and praise the Health Service Staff in Enniskillen GP practice - Dr. Mallon & McConville -  the SWAH staff and Belfast RVH staff.

One morning I felt very strange with light head, tingling fingers, breathlessness, slightly blurred vision and a little difficulty in speech. The only other symptoms I recall were sharp headaches about 2 weeks beforehand which felt like ear ache, which I thought would just go away.

I rang my GP Dr. Mallon & Dr McConville practice in Enniskillen and the receptionist was very patient asking me questions & listening to my answers. She suggested I attend A&E but I refused thinking I didn’t want to waste their time & maybe I wasn’t that ill. (on hindsight I should have listened to her). Dr McConville checked my BP & referred me to A&E immediately as it was very high.

The receptionist actions were the first in a series of events where the Health Staff prevented me from having a stroke and probably saved my life.

At the GP practice everyone made me feel I was in safe hands and that I wasn’t wasting their time.

I want to thank the Practice nurses, Janice & Monica, who always treat me with dignity & respect.

In A&E I was seen within a few minutes. I felt nervous being on the other side (I’m a retired nurse).The staff were all brilliant, efficient and professional, reassuring me all the time.

The CT scan ruled out a stroke but there was something else.

I was admitted to ward 1 where I received excellent care from everyone, in fact I felt spoilt having meals and cups of tea & coffee brought to me and no washing up!!

A further MRI scan confirmed a meningioma tumour on my brain lining!

I was told according to the radiologists report, not to worry because I would outlive it & it’s probably been there for years! Nevertheless I was referred to Mr Simms, Consultant Neurosurgeon at RVH Belfast, anyway. His secretary Donna was very helpful when I rang to check the appointment date. She took time to check and didn’t make me feel a nuisance. In fact she said I’d been upgraded to urgent. This surprised me but still didn’t worry me as I had been told I would outlive the calcified tumour.

At the appointment in Belfast RVH I met Consultant Neurosurgeon, Mr Simms. He immediately put me at ease with his calm and reassuring nature, however myself and my husband were shocked to be told the meningioma was active and needed to come out!

Despite this news I again felt that I was in safe hands and had every faith in Mr Simms.

I was scheduled for surgery (Craniotomy and removal of the Meningioma)  in Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital.

From the minute I walked into the RVH, every one was excellent. The Pre-assessment nurse, bed manager, pre theatre ward, porters, theatre staff and the brilliant staff on ward F4 where I stayed for 6 nights. Their attitude, friendliness, efficacy, professionalism, was outstanding.

Not only has my life been saved but I’ve been given a new life. 🙏🏼. Thankfully there was no cancer. I’m doing great and back out walking twice or three times every day.

Thank you national health service.