Feedback of the week – 1 January 2019
1 January 2019
We regularly receive encouraging feedback regarding the services at our trust, via patient letters, NHS Choices or Patient Opinion reviews and our social media accounts, such as our official Twitter account @RoyalFreeNHS and our Facebook page. Take a look at some of this week's feedback below.
Feedback fromTwitter
Six months ago, a dear friend was reaching the end of the line. Her only hope was an organ transplant, but she was too weak to get on the waiting list – let alone survive the 7-hour operation. We knew every day we had with her was a gift.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
On a grey day in August, I took my mum up to North London to see her. Mum is a retired NHS nurse and spent most of her career in end-of-life care. She's seen it all. And she knew right away that our friend was in a bad way.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
I sat in silence as Mum talked to her about care plans, hospice and respite care, and all the other morbid practicalities you hope you'll never have to discuss with someone you love. I knew things were bleak but this was the first time it'd all felt so real and irreversible.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
Mum and I didn't talk much on the train home. It was clear things weren't going to get better. All my wife and I could do was prepare for the inevitable and be there for our friend when she needed us.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
But every time we spoke to her from then on, something would change or happen to give us just the tiniest bit of hope.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
It started with the smallest things – like a slight change in her tone, a more positive ring to her words. She could talk on the phone for longer without getting out of breath or feeling faint.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
Then her mobility started to improve. She climbed the stairs to her flat on her own, without stopping, which she hadn't managed in ages. She could do more around the house. And within a couple of months she was outside striding around the park – something she'd missed terribly.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
By October she was like a different person. And her regular check-ups showed she was getting fitter and stronger. So much so that, if she could sustain things and avoid infection, her consultants said they'd put her on the transplant list.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
She got the call in mid-December. Survived the transplant surgery. And she was home by Christmas Eve.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
When we saw her at the weekend, all we wanted to do was hug and kiss and squeeze her. But, you know, Christmas lurg and immunosuppressants 'n all. So we just sat and gawped in wonder instead.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
It's all made such a mark on our friend that she now sees her future supporting people going through the transplant process. And her hospital has already offered her a volunteer job to do just that, starting in the spring.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
.@RoyalFreeNHS, the love and care you've shown our friend through all of this has been mind-blowing and we're so, so grateful for everything you've done for her. Thank you, and all our best and most heartfelt wishes for 2019.
— Joe Jeffries (@_joejeffries) December 31, 2018
Shouting a sweet tweet to the staff of @RoyalFreeNHS. You took care of my Ma with kindness and professionalism. She was out, with crutch, x-ray and smiles because her foot is not broken (despite the wreath slipping out of my hand and on to it ��) within 30minutes! #LongLiveNHS
— Sara Alexander (@SaraJAlexander) January 2, 2019
Thanks again to @RoyalFreeNHS. Baby son spent last few days on children’s ward being made better. The @NHSuk and it’s staff are remarkable. World class care and instead of a worrying bill they give you a gift when you leave. Merry Christmas - particularly if you’re working it! pic.twitter.com/fejYI4hEMv
— Dominic King (@Dominic1King) December 24, 2018
@RoyalFreeNHS wonderful treatment on 11 west today with caring, compassionate and respectful staff. The lovely Nurse Kathryn deserves a special mention. #ThankYouNHS @DeborahBalkwill #alwaysputtingyourpatientsfirst pic.twitter.com/MKFqSCgmA5
— Tracey Carter �� (@CarterTreacle) January 1, 2019
Thank you NHS for all you did for my son Charlie this year. Thank you to the nurses and doctors at @uclh and at @RNOHnhs who looked after him after being diagnosed with a Sarcoma tumour and the fantastic surgeons who removed it. Also to the plastic surgeons from @RoyalFreeNHS
— J Ellacott (@jon_ellacott) January 1, 2019
I would like to thank the ambulance men/ women, A/E staff and CDU staff at Barnet Hospital for taking care of my husband and his family in his last hours of life. They were all kind and professional. You should all be proud.
I just want to say what excellent care I received from Jakob in the endoscopy department. Caring, professional and kind. Thank-you.