"Most Caring Helpful Wonderful Lovely Staff"

Most Caring Helpful GP / Wonderful Orthopaedic Consultant / Lovely Recovery Nurse

As a member of the team at NHS Grampian, I am aware that feedback can often be given after a negative experience but not often after a positive one.

I began to suffer with back pain and contacted my GP practice Calsayseat Medical, for help after all home remedies had failed. Luckily, I have had the continuity of care from what can only be described as the most caring, thoughtful and genuinely empathetic GP I have ever met. Dr Findlayson, who from the start has been nothing but incredible and has helped me in a way I’m sure she probably doesn’t even realise. By genuinely listening, empathising with my situation and on a few occasions telling me to stop being so stubborn she has been incredibly supportive and I can hand on heart say I’ve never ever felt so well looked after by a GP. Due to the current pandemic GP’s have been on the receiving end of a lot of negativity and I can’t imagine it has been easy for them. I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart for being someone who has a massive part to play in me getting my life back which my words of thanks will never be enough. 

After referral to the spinal orthopaedic team I received and appointment to see Mr Baliga in clinic who was nothing but understanding, compassionate and considerate of my situation as a colleague who had tried to work through the brunt of the pandemic in a lot of pain. He apologetically explained that due to the current pandemic surgical options would take a lot longer than the normal waiting times which I fully accepted seeing the impact the situation is having on the hospital and services. He explained that he would refer me for non surgical options to try to help but unfortunately these didn’t make things better and I had fully expected and accepted a long wait for further intervention. 

Unfortunately within time working 12 hour shifts became something I was unable to do due to pain and my GP wrote a letter to Mr Baliga to keep him updated, at this point he took into consideration my job on the frontline and the fact that I could have a lengthy time off work and managed to schedule me in for the operation in less than 2 weeks. 

Mr Baliga and his registrar Dr Whittaker, on the day of the operation, were professional, friendly and really helped to calm my nerves all whilst taking into consideration the slight awkwardness I felt as being one of their colleagues who will no doubt run into them in future. 

Mr Baliga is incredibly professional, friendly and it is so obvious the passion he has for his profession. I didn’t know of him prior to the operation but once referred, heard nothing but glowing reviews which really put me at ease! I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for literally giving me my life back and hopefully within the few months allowing me to return to the job I love so much! I have the upmost respect for everything you and your team all do! 

One other member of staff who really stood out to me was a nurse from Theatre Recovery named Rebecca, sorry I didn’t catch your surname, but I just want to say how attentive, caring and friendly you came across and I can imagine (partly due to just waking from a general anaesthestic) your team don’t get the recognition they deserve but I want to say thank you as you genuinely couldn’t have done anymore if you tried! 

There is obviously a lot of other people I would like to thank but I am aware this will go on and on but I really wanted to feedback how amazing the care I received was and have some positivity instead of negativity for a change! The past year hasn’t been easy for hospital staff but despite the struggles you all continue to be amazing!