Positive experiences of the NHS

Yes, DH went for a biopsy on a mole, he was in and out so quick he didn’t have to pay for parking.

He was on the pathway and from GP appointment to results was under 5 weeks.

Earlier this week my daughter chased up a periodic review for one of the GC's which is now causing delays to their developmental growth. She rang the number she was given by the Health Visitor and after a couple of attempts was successful in getting a cancelled appointment which resulted in GC today being put on the list for an operation in the next few months.
This is a prime example of why people should cancel appointments rather than fail to attend - these cancellations mean that appointments can be offered to others and keep the NHS working at reducing their waiting lists.
For all the slating that the NHS gets - they are doing their best in very difficult circumstances and they cannot please everyone.

Yesterday after months of being very unwell due to horrendous side effects of RA biologics, I telephoned the RA clinical advice line, on the advice of my GP, who had gone above and beyond to help me, but was stumped.
The RA dept usually phone back in two days, but unfortunately there was a message saying they were inundated and it would be longer.

One hour later, my RA consultant phoned me personally, (It's usually the RA specialist sisters, who respond initially) for a phone consultation.
The outcome, biologics stopped and a new treatment plan being devised.
I wept with relief, that someone actually cared! .

Just back from being fast tracked for a possible melanoma. Consultant knew what it was immediately - nothing to worry about. And he cleared a small growth on my husband's face too. Fantastic service - and parking was free.

Just back from A&E where NHS 24 sent me. Sudden onset flashes and floaters in recent cataract replacement eye. Seen, assessed and kind doctor arranged specialist assessment tomorrow am. In and out in under 2 hours. Can't complain (although apparently NHS 24 could have sent me straight to the eye hospital)

I rarely very rarely go to the doctor or hospital This year has been different I saw a GP with what I thought was a simple problem, much to my surprise I was put on the 2week pathway by this lovely observant doctor, early this year, it came completely out of the blue for me Within two weeks I had the appointment with another lovely consultant she sent the test away and within 6 weeks I d had the first op. The second op happened with a few weeks and then the results I wanted to hear I was free of cancer I m getting checks every 4 months
I ve also had two cataract operations earlier this year
and a visit to A and E after a fall I was there 5 hours and in that 5 hours I saw a triage nurse , then a doctor had an X-ray came back to see the doctor sent for a Ct scan and saw the doctor again before being declared fit enough to go home

I think the NHS and my local hospital and my GP surgery are blooming wonderful Wish I could say the same about our nonexistent dentists though

I went to Specsavers in January of this year and was given hearing aids. The audiologist thought I had a problem in my R) ear so referred me locally.

I think the ENT department was trying to clear the backlog and I was seen swiftly and am on the w/list for a CT and MRI scan. The Registrar I saw actually cared.

I have absolutely no complaints, after being hit like an express train with pneumonia back in March - followed almost immediately by pleurisy, that needed a drain for several days. I could not fault the care I received, from the ambulance arriving to finally being discharged 3 weeks later, though I was on ABs for another 2 weeks - they didn’t want me back again!

We are very lucky in that our local hospital is rated outstanding though.

I wish I could think of anything good to say about the NHS, family experience over the last few years has been unremittingly awful. DH was given a cardiac appointment last week. It was cancelled this week. The original appoinment was for late February. Now?

Numerous examples, these are a few.

DH was ill, referred to specialist hospital dept by our GP. Three consecutive days of tests, scans etc the same week. Then follow up visits and phone calls until they were sure all was well.

I have a long term illness, not life-threatening but it has an impact on my life. I have a phone appointment every 8 weeks to monitor it, plus I can phone the department whenever I need to get advice. There is never a problem getting hold of someone who can help.

DD once had help and support from the kindest GP when she was a teenager. So much so that I wrote to the practice manager to thank them.

DS has a manageable issue, it is manageable because his GP is so knowledgeable, available and helpful.

When my aunt had advanced dementia in a lovely care home the visiting doctor was unfailingly kind, gentle and respectful, not only to her but about our views on end of life.

I was rushed into hospital with pneumonia in June, not really expected to survive as only a third of one lung was still working. Was on 80% oxygen for the first few days, and given antibiotics. After 8 days they let me come home provided I did a week of bed rest followed by a week of sofa rest, then I could potter. The specialist said in my hearing “ she will do better at home” ! They were kindness itself, nothing too much trouble. Had to go for a scan five weeks later and on the way back to the car fell down some steps and fractured my eye socket. Medical people appeared from everywhere. Was taken into A&E by wheelchair from the car park , had triage, X-ray, scans, stitched up ( eight stitches in my face) given painkillers, fed as I am type 2 diabetic, given painkillers and got home at midnight. Everyone so kind. The follow up has been wonderful, you just could not have had better treatment. They are overstretched and understaffed but the attention I got was five star plus. I am 86, and have to say the NHS has always been there in an emergency. My DIL is a staff nurse, and some of the abuse they get from patients is unbelievable, and included one man flashing his private bits at her. As if she hadn’t seen it all before!
Margaret.

Over the years we have had a number of encounters with the NHS, and have had nothing but positive experiences.

The latest was me presenting at A&E in the summer with severe pain. Sent for a scan the next day after the pain was dealt with, and told I needed a gall bladder removal. The surgeon prescribed a course of antibiotics to sweep up any possible infection.

A month ago I pottered into the day surgery unit at 2pm, was first seen by the nurses, then the assistant surgeon who chatted and said did I have any questions etc, then aneasthatist came and chatted examined my teeth etc. then the surgeon came and introduced himself asked if I was ok etc and said he’d see me within the hour. Nurse walked me up to the theatre and before I knew it (actually 11/2 hr later) I was back on the ward with a cup of tea and biscuit. Home by 8pm tucked up in bed and an excellent nights sleep. My recovery has been smooth and successful and I am feeling 100% better.

The whole experience was one of calm kindness and absolute professionalism.

I have personally had excellent NHS physio treatment after various bone breakages, and cannot praise them enough. In the first case, particularly, I had a nasty wrist fracture and the physio who was on duty when the external fixator was removed thought I might be left with little mobility in that wrist, but after lengthy treatment - with the same physio - my wrist is as good as new.

I might add that my sister has recently had an operation - day surgery again using private medicine. Her experience has been absolutely no better than mine except she got free parking and coffee.

Following from my referral to A&E last night I was seen at the eye hospital today by, first, a nurse practitioner then a consultant. My appointment was for 10.45 and I was seen and discharged by 11.45. the Dr took time to explain everything to me and to answer questions and went and found a helpful booklet. The place was cold and spartan but the medical care was everything I could hope for and more.

Reading all these positive experiences, I am overwhelmed with the thought... we cannot afford to lose it!

Whether you are a Labour, Conservative or LD voter - we must fight for it and not let vested interests - or some political maverick with gung-ho ideas on 'transforming' it - destroy it.

I wish it wasn't such a political football.

Three weeks ago I phoned my GP for an appointment. There were no appointments left but the receptionist asked why I was phoning. I told her I'd found a lump. An hour later I was in the GP's surgery being examined and reassured that it was most likely a cyst. That was on Monday. On Wednesday I got a phone call from the Breast Clinic at the hospital with an appointment for the next day. I saw the consultant who examined me, sent me for an ultrasound and then confirmed that it was indeed a cyst. He discharged me but said that if it grew, became a nuisance or changed in anyway I should go back to my GP for a re-referral when he would arrange to have it cut out. I couldn't ask for better or speedier treatment.

I have read articles that make a link between uncorrected hearing loss and dementia.
My Mum died with Alzheimer's and my Dad has vascular dementia, so I booked an appointment for a hearing check at our local branch of Scrivens.
This showed a loss of hearing in the upper register, which I was totally unaware of, with the problem being in the inner ear.

I was booked in the following week for a full hearing test with the audiologist who prescribed hearing aids. I said I would like to try the NHS ones first, so he had to write to my GP for authorisation.
I had a phone call a couple of weeks later and was invited in that day to have my aids fitted.
They are linked to my phone via an app, which was set up for me and explained to me.
I was given spare batteries and will be asked back for a check up in a few months time.
I have rung the helpline for some more batteries which were posted to me.

I haven't had to pay a penny for any of this, and if it does help with the risk of dementia I am very grateful. 🙂

I woke up breathless in February, no other symptoms. Referred by my GP to the cardiac team even though my blood pressure, ECG etc were normal. Admitted to hospital and was wonderfully well fed and cared for until a gap came up two weeks later for a stent procedure. The artery blocked was a potential killer. I could write a list of other positive NHS experiences but this one saved my life so I rate it above all the others!

A doctor on the ward said, 'We're sorry we're keeping you in for so long, but we're afraid that if we send you home you'll die.' I think it was meant to reassure me!

Husband had to go to hospital today for blood tests. Got in 10 minutes early. Seen by a nurse chatty nurse and we were out before he should have gone in.

Of course there are good experiences of the NHS but they don't offset the appalling experiences of others or the very long waiting lists.

We all know that Grantanow. That's why the OP thought it would be interesting and worthwhile to share positive experiences of which there are many.