When did the NHS make a difference to you?

[tryingtobenice3]

what was a time you had a positive experience with the NHS? Or was there a time the NHS helped you or a particular HCA, doctor, nurse etc did something that made a massive difference to you?

Obviously there’s been a lot of posts on here recently about the state of the NHS- people unable to get a GP appointment, people waiting days in a&e, people unhappy with the treatment they’ve had (or lack of treatment in some cases) not to mention all the different opinions on the strikes. I’m not denying or pretending these problems don’t exist because it’s awful right now. I have so much respect for NHS staff right now- I have NO idea how you cope with it all.

I just thought it would be nice to have a thread on here with nice stories or times someone in the NHS made a difference to you. Just to have a positive thread in case it cheers anyone up or makes a difference at all.

I’ll go first- my GP surgery, which isn’t always easy to get appointments at, have been so supportive and amazing when I was unwell. I was seen on the same day and the GP was so patient and lovely meanwhile I cried because I was frightened and felt so unwell. I never felt like a burden and I’m sure she was tired and fed up and wanted me to leave so she could see her next patient, and I probably held up her day and clinic diary as my appointment took well over the time, but I never forgot how kind and sympathetic she was when I was so unwell. It made such a huge difference to me. I ended up getting sent straight to the hospital and admitted for a week and I probably would have been too scared to go had she not been so kind and supportive to me

I’m not pretending the NHS is perfect and I know this is not going to fix the problems that other people have had, and it won’t help the staff with how overworked and under appreciated, but I just thought it might be a nice idea to have a nice thread with nice stories to show nhs staff how much we really appreciate them☺️

When my newborn ended up in NICU, the NICU nurses and team were amazing.

The maternity team way less so, but the NICU nurses were an understanding and reassuring godsend who did everything to make baby better and to accommodate me too when I was alone in absolute pieces (childbirth during covid).

Many, many times. The most recent was the new hearing aids l received last summer. Digital with Bluetooth. Completely free but worth thousands of pounds. As a musician, they are life changing.

I am glad that was your truth but DH's truth was very different and he is now one of those who lost his life due to being diagnosed and having treatment delayed during the pandemic.

I can say we don’t use the NHS much, we saw them with an ear infection or something some years ago. We see the GP less than once a year / every couple of years. But I gave birth twice and I had the most wonderful experiences. Zero haunting memories, both times I went in the morning and was back home with my newborn well before dinner. The midwives were supportive, kind and in control. I also had a great private suite where I could shower and my husband and I could bond with the baby those precious first hours. I tell all of my friends who mention paying for private they’re wasting their money.

I simply have to do a shout out to one of my GPs. I went with an ache in my shoulder and tingling in my little finger. After examination, she sent me for a chest x-ray. Another shout out to my "named" gp in the same practice who phoned me a week later to say he didn't like the results of the x-ray and referred me for a ct scan. I had lung cancer. All good now, thanks to them both.

And the eight months dressing and caring for the (quite seperate) wound on my leg the nurses have cared for.

These experiences, and more, lead me to trust these people more than I trust a Tory pm. If a nurse is having to use a food bank to feed herself and her family, then we have failed as a nation. And we will continue to fail until we put this right.

Well the NHS fucked up DSs birth, but some of the experts who now deal with the fall out from this mistake, are superb. Hip surgery, spinal surgery, neurologist, neurosurgeon, orthopaedic consultant. Seen them all. Usual delays, but some of these doctors are phenomenal.

When I was 37 weeks pregnant I caught a ‘virus’ that no one could work out what it was. It caused my temperature to go through the roof to the point that I was hallucinating and delirious. My GP called me back within half an hour and told me he would come and see me on his lunch. 1.10 he was at my front door. I have never been so relieved to see someone in my life. I was terrified. He managed to sort it so that I was admitted that afternoon for treatment that probably prevented me going into labour early. All during a pandemic.

My eldest was recently referred to a pediatric specialist - first appointment was within 2 months of referral on a Saturday, ran to time and consultant was very good - informative and approachable. Follow up procedure took place within the next 6 weeks and was again all very efficient. Follow up appointment was booked in before the procedure so looking at 5 months from initial referral to diagnosis. A very different and much more positive experience to what I'm hearing in the media so counting ourselves as very fortunate!

This time 13 years ago Ds was critically ill. The hospital saved his life. As a result of that though we have had 13 years of very regular nhs use. Of course we have had issues along the way but the vast majority of his care has been amazing

So many times.
•when my first child was born 10 weeks early weighing under 2lb. He’s now a very healthy 32 year old!
• when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was caught early and I’m 7 years post treatment.
• When during the first lockdown I was diagnosed with early womb cancer and quickly operated on.

Lots of things but mainly they ended 4 heartbreaking years of infertility by assisting me to conceive my DD (IVF). It wasn’t straightforward and there were issues (communication was poor) but I’ll be forever grateful. My birth experience wasn’t great either but DD and I are both here and healthy and I’m thankful for that.

I can always get a doc appointment for my kids and often for myself.
amazing midwifery care for every birth
kind nurses when my dear parent was dying

A number of times the NHS has sorted me out, probably the most critical was being diagnosed with viral myocarditis, complete LVF and heart lock. Viral myocarditis is responsible for a number of sudden adult deaths 😵‍💫
I honestly cannot fault the care I have received in hospital.

*heart block

When I had an abortion. They were so caring and lovely and, most importantly, non judgmental. I was cared for so well.

My midwives.

Every last one throughout 3 pregnancies so far have been amazing. Can’t fault a single one throughout 2 difficult births and 3 complicated pregnancies (still currently Pg so hoping the same can be said this time!)

Also the lovely HCAs after birth who cleaned up all the mess and brought me toast.

So many good experiences. My GP surgery are fantastic. Had exemplary care across 2 hospitals with my last pregnancy after a problem was detected at 20 week scan.

Last visit to a&e in November I was in and out in 4.5 hours and the staff were great.

I also work for the NHS and only today read a letter from a patient thanking some of the clinical team for their fantastic care.

There are some fabulous people in the NHS who do their best for every patient, but that doesn't change the fact the system is essentially broken.

They saved my 4 week old baby's life, I couldn't have asked for more of them. Without the NHS I wouldn't have my little boy

Every birth (3 upto now) all ante and post natal care, DS1 has autism & had speech delay; received diagnosis aged 3 after not too long a wait. Have seen dieticians, sleep clinics, SALT within weeks of referrals.

Even as recently as this month; DD seen in A&e; in and out within hours, DS2 had a GP appointment today few hours after calling.
can’t complain.

Most recently, when they paid for another delivery of a medication that until recently, would cost more than my annual salary per dose. By being prescribed this medication, it has enabled me to progress in employment to a point where I'm actually making a net contribution. Prior to that, it gave me medication that enabled me to move from being unable to work at all and in receipt of highest rate disability and sickness benefits.

They have therefore saved the State money by being there.

I'm under the care of two amazing GP's. They work with me and listen to me to manage my treatment.
Last year I woke up with severe heartburn and vomiting. I called 111 and they told me to go to A and E. I managed to get there and promptly collapsed (I'd refused an ambulance as didn't think I was that sick). I had gallstones and pancreatitis. I passed out and was on a ward within a matter of hours. I was operated on a week later. It would have been sooner but I was too sick to operate on. I was in hospital for around three weeks. Incredible care. Cannot praise them highly enough.

Saved my son's life when I had to have an emergency C Section because the cord was wrapped around his neck.
Paramedics & Surgeons when my dad had a heart attack.

Cut myself at work recently and was stitched within 2 hours.
I appreciated it and expressed that but I'm not going to clap and worship - I pay plenty in tax and I;m entitled to the limited help I seek.

People who go to the NHS as a hobby though, they can sit in the waiting room not really being ill/being "incurable" for all I care. The nurse said that most in the waiting room shouldn't really be there.

Saved dh's life with a stem cell transplant for an aggressive form of blood cancer.

It has saved my life twice (post birth complications). Given me other surgery twice, one of which also saved my life. Looked after both my children, who have some relatively mild but enduring health problems pretty well. And, most of them remain perfectly pleasant despite the shower of shit they've been under for 3 years (and more with austerity/poor management before that).