Has a healthcare professional ever made a lasting impression on you - for good?

[Thisisit777]

What good thing has a HP ever done for you?

Me - a kind midwife persevered with me in labour ward - I couldn’t breastfeed and was crying buckets. Meant a lot as she treated me well despite me being a snivelling mess.

You?

The team that provided my Dad’s end of life care. All of them, including the domestic staff on the ward. They provided the care he needed in an unobtrusive way whilst working around us, which allowed us to stay with him and be with him in his final days.

I had the most wonderful GP (and he was gorgeous too- I was a little bit a lot in love with him). I’d struggled with various mental health problems for years and years when I went to see him for something that I thought was unrelated, but turned out to be a symptom of my mental health. I was able to open up to him about my issues in a way I never thought I’d be able to. He did the utmost for me. He rescribed medication, referred me for counselling, chased up referrals when they were slow and just generally made me feel like he really cared about me.

He gave me some advice that was so powerful to me that I pass it on to other people now if they’re in a similar situation. He was just wonderful.

He left to go to another surgery a couple of years ago and I’m more or less completely better now. No more medication, no more therapy. I suffered for about 20 years but because of him, I’ve had the best two years of my life. I honestly believe he saved my life.

@Doyouthinktheysaurus was this Mr Fish in Brighton? He interviewed me and accepted me into medical school, so I am thankful to him for other reasons. But I have subsequently seen him around patients since and have found him to be lovely to them.

If anyone is so inclined to feedback their good experiences to their practitioner/hospital, please do. We deal with a lot of set backs and unhappy customers in this job, hearing that we made a difference really helps keep us going sometimes

The HV who came to me after the traumatic birth of my first child. I have a long history of depression and she was going to make damn sure that I didn't go under. She came out every single week to see me, signed me up for groups, applied for help for us, set up birth reflections, and always said the right thing.

Also my amazing GP when I lived in London. I had been admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt and was then released into GP care, she treated me like an intelligent adult, never talked down to me, but at the same time was so gentle and caring. She worked relentlessly with me to find the right medication route and I have no doubt at all that she is the reason I am still alive.

I will always remember a midwife that was amazing when dh and I were at the hospital for an induction at 21 weeks due to our baby having a fatal condition.

She was kind , funny , unafraid to pop in and speak to us where other midwives clearly and understandably felt awkward. She came in to say goodbye before we went home and gave me a hug , she was due her break but made time to see us instead.

Her name was Stella and she made three of the most difficult days of my life just that little bit easier.

I had two Oncologists when I was diagnosed with cancer at 13. They were the most determined, kind, passionate consultants who really cared and monitored my treatment plan so carefully over the 7 years it took to get me in remission and remain that way. Given survival rates weren't great in the early 90s for this type of cancer, I am extremely grateful to them for all they did. The NHS at its finest, thank you

Many people to say huge thanks to and I won't ever forget.

The student nurse who washed vomit out my hair, I'd just had an op and could get my hands on my head.

The GP who advised 'a wee night in hospital would do me good'
The nurse & consultant who cared for me in CCU that night. The nurse who cared for me towards the end of that stay. The auxiliary nurse who chatted at claimed not to mind cleaning up after me.

Years later the Doctor who answered some questions about the above stay.

My second child was induced but appeared faster than expected. The midwife who took photos and kept me calm. The team who deal with me hemorraging. My memories of the next day or so is wooly but I'm sure we were well looked after.

DC2 had a hospital stay i don't think I'll forget the Doc who looked after him in a hurry.

All in I've had far more positive experiences of the NHS than negative.

The anaesthetist who did my spinal after having DD. He was so kind it made me cry after a really traumatic delivery and a horrible MW, I've never forgotten him. Also the palliative care nurse who was so lovely to us when my DGM was dying, she made a huge difference at an awful time,

Yes, and it's really a great story. I am visually impaired and I have some other difficulties. I love languages, if you have seen me post thing around here, I can speak nine now, including Greek. I am extremely afraid of the dentist and I have constant dental problems. I found the dentist a year ago, will a year and a half ago now. She is Greek. I had to visit her about 10 times in one year, including for three root canal's. During one of the first root canal's, I found an audiobook to learn Greek. I went from absolute beginner in April 2017 to actually being the first person with a visual impairment to pass the Greek language exam at an advanced level and I qualified for university in Greece. I was selected for the special education college . Bureaucracy intervened, so I will have to wait until next year. But just doing this was really something. I have learned so much about Greece over the past year, made so many good friends, been to the Acropolis by myself and I'm still alive to tell about it, etc.

But not only that, I run a very small charity that I started 12 years ago. I had been wanting to do something for special needs in dentistry because from experience, I know how difficult it can be. We just did our very first dental education program in Vietnam and it went very successfully. It was for 125 children with special needs.

My dentist knows about all of this. And she has been very supportive. I'm so glad there are some healthcare professionals out there not just treat sickness, but do so much more.

Also, into thousand 10, my pediatric eye doctor from great Ormond Street was on holiday in Vietnam and he came to visit me. So another great moment. There are some memories that are just out of this world, and I will never ever forget these two people I hope they realize just how important they are

Currently in hospital having given birth to my first baby three days ago. I have just been blown away by how amazing all of the staff have been, and in particular the midwives. The two midwives who delivered my baby were just exceptional, and in particular tonight the lovely midwife who came on shift when I was feeling vulnerable and frustrated over feeding issues, took the time to listen to me and comfort me, and take control of the situation when she saw I was floundering. I work for the NHS in a non-clinical role which focuses on complaints and criticism of the health service, and to see the amazing care given by these professionals who are under-resourced but nevertheless dedicated to their vocation is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

In 2014 I had open heart surgery.I awoke in ICU with a wonderful male nurse from the Philippines who treated me like family.He was so very kind.I was in and out of consciousness but will always remember how he cared for me like I was his Mother,with dignity,humour and compassion.I nicknamed him my 'Angel'

I had to visit the GP with an emotive issue and was very anxious about the reaction I might get, and whether they might turn me away. I ended up booked in with a hatchet faced GP who had never so much as cracked her face when I'd seen her in the past, my heart was in my mouth thinking she would be horrible to me on top of everything else I was frightened of.

She could not have been kinder or more understanding. As for not smiling, I think that's just her face.

I was poorly for quite some time after that particular medical event, and the GPs in that practice were unfailingly concerned, kind and compassionate in ensuring that everything got sorted swiftly. I bought a thank you card but was too shy to send it in the end - I've still got it, in its wrapper. That was 10 years ago.

I would recommend reading “this is going to hurt” by Adam Kay a true account of being an obs and gynae doctor. I laughed and cried reading that gives real insight into being a doctor and how much it means when people say thank you.

Sadly I had an awful time having first baby in London 12 years ago. The midwives were rude, aggressive and resentful. The doctors were visibly pissed off with them and dd nearly died due to their negligence. Something had gone very wrong there.

Midwife negligence not doctors.

I had an elderly gp and took a while to get pregnant. When I was in the early stages I asked her when I could stop worrying - meaning when the risk of miscarriage lessened. She put her pen down and said “my dear you will never stop worrying miscarriage, labour,feeding, development, school, friendships my son is 50 and I’m still worrying “ she was right too!

I lost my first baby at 24 weeks. I was distraught. As part of the emergency l was transferred into the care of an older gynaecologist. Sadly it was too late. Next pregnancy same issues began but l was under him from the outset.
I was kept in hospital. He visited me every day. He would tell all the student doctors my story and say l will deliver a well baby here if its the last thing l do. When ds arrived safely he was as excited as if he was the grandad. He was an older man.
I continued to see him on tv afterwards as quite famous in his field. He delived my other dcs and was like a father to me.
Such a fab doctor.

@Doyouthinktheysaurus . I worked with Mr Fish when he was an obstetric registrar in London and I was a newly qualified midwife. I remember him fondly. We gave the best care we could in the limited resources we had. He was always kind.

Quite a few actually. We've been lucky.

• The loveliest sister who helped out at our local surgery. She used to cuddle me every time she saw me virtually I think, listened to me, gave me support and signed me off when I could no longer work during my pregnancy, made sure I had plenty of diazapam when I was having a series of gynae procedures, laughed like a drain and remembered my DD's name every time we went in.

• most recently I had a brilliant nurse do my smear. She cuddled me so tightly afterwards while I sobbed (abuse related). She had read my notes in full before the app and been really pro-active. I loved her for it.

I also love our dentist. He's amazing with DD in a very quiet professional way and takes it upon himself to make sure his receptionist gives her a sticker every time.

My gyn - he's the reason I am alive.
I came back from my mammogramm (sp.) with an all clear.
He looked at the pictures, put them in the bin and sent me for a biopsy.

I love this thread so much.

For me one GP in particular stands out. On the off chance she reads this: Thank you!!! GP in Brixton Hill Surgery in spring 2007. I had started to have seizures earlier in the year and due to a few referral mistakes (by another doctor), I ended up in her clinic one day sobbing asking for help after collapsing yet again the day before. It was the absolute worst time for me and I was worried about losing my job, terrified about what was happening to me and so frustrated at no one 'fixing' it. Not only was she utterly kind, the next day I received a call from a neurologist who asked me to come in the following day. I was diagnosed, put on medication and got my life back. The neurologist said what a 'fierce' GP I had and that it was because of her insistence I was seen immediately.
So, so grateful. I have since changed careers and gone to medical school. Let's hope I can fight someone's corner like that.

The ward sister who went down to the staff mess and brought back two buckets of spaghetti Bolognese, because catering had cocked up dinner. The physio who drove me back on my feet after my first broken leg. The cottage hospital who made sure both my DPs left the world lucid, cheerful, and free from pain.

This is a lovely thread. I am a HCP and I hope I make a difference to my patients.

For me the HCPs that stand out are - the GP receptionist who got me an urgent appointment when I phoned up in tears when DD1 was 2 weeks old.

The GP who took me aside and gave me a huge hug after my second miscarriage. We had only just moved into the area and I hadn't even completed my registration with the practice.

The heart surgeon who phoned me up to tell me my mum's operation had gone well - whilst he will still in the operating theatre.

I know the vast majority of my colleagues go above and beyond .We really do care about our patients.

When my DD2 was about 18 months old she became very unwell really quickly. She was fine when I put her down for her nap but woke with a fever and very lethargic. I called the doctors and one of the GPs agreed to stay behind so they could see her. She has tonsillitis and he thanked me for taking her to be seen as he said it was quite severe. He was normally the GP that everyone avoided if possible but he was very kind to her.

DD2 again. She has had to have a couple of blood tests this year. The first time the magic cream had moved after applying so wasn't effective when blood was taken. The second time she was petrified, really crying and trying to get out to the chair. The lady taking her blood was Spanish and so very kind with DD2. She was really patient and distracted her by getting DD2 to count in Spanish. It made the process so much easier.

The first one that comes to mind was my school nurse (our school back then had one who seemed to just work in our school, and had her own office there, where she was present most days), when I was a teenager having panic attacks and generally struggling. I've had other positive HCP experiences, but this all about her:

She was the one adult I felt comfortable talking to. She arranged me to see a Dr when my parents didn't want me to talk about mental health. She even managed to arrange therapy for me, although unfortunately my parents disagreed with this, and I never got to attend. She was just always there. I could go to her waiting room, and if she managed to get me in inbetween other pupils, she always would, even just for a chat. I remember her so fondly. I was having food issues and couldn't face eating in the food hall, so she sometimes had me sit in her break room and brought me a sandwich and a drink. Such a kind woman.

I didn't really make friends at the school. One day someone I vaguely knew came to talk to me out of nowhere, and ended up asking me to hang out after school, and we ended up being friendly for the rest of our time at the school. She also struggled with anxiety, and I found out also saw the nurse a lot. In fact, it had been the school nurse who had nudged her with the idea that I might be someone she could chat to! (She of course hadn't told her of any of my medical/MH details) Honestly, she made such a big impact on the both of us.

Sadly, she passed away from cancer only a few years laters, but I often think of her.

That reminds me, there was a GP at the practice I mentioned earlier who was renowned for being a bit abrasive, and even had a reputation for refusing to visit bedridden patients (in the days of home visits) and insisting they come to the surgery. My MIL in particular loathed him and said he was "lazy" and unpleasant.

I ended up booked in with him one day, with what I thought was a chest infection as I was so short of breath, and fully anticipated short shrift. He listed to my lungs, took my oxygen levels, called the hospital to tell them to expect me, wrote me a note and said bluntly, "I think you may have a blood clot on your lung. You need to call someone to drive you to the hospital right away."

It was a bit of a whirlwind, there were no clots but I did have a severe allergy. I 100% expected him to tell me to go home and take paracetamol, so at least he was on form that day eh? A few years later he packed me off to hospital with a suspected kidney stone when I had a bit of a pain, so I always felt that he knew what he was doing and was only rude to time wasters like my revolting MIL!

Everyone who was involved in my labour. I had one young midwife for the first part who was lovely, but quite glad a more experienced one took over when they changed shifts as things got a bit hairy. The guy who did my epidural (you know the one, I can’t spell it). They all made the whole thing more relaxed and it felt under control, even though things were not going the way I wanted.