Doreen Elphick - Crayford (From News Shopper)

Doreen Elphick - Crayford

in Letters

AFTER hearing so many horror stories regarding patient care in hospitals, I felt that I had to write to share my experience.

I developed a chest infection a couple of weeks before Christmas but didn’t seek medical advice until a week later.

My GP wanted me to go to hospital but I refused and was given antibiotics. The next day I was struggling to breathe which was aggravated by my asthma and COPD and my husband called for an ambulance.

I was still refusing to go to hospital, I didn’t want to be one of those patients that you read about in the paper that are so badly treated.

But with the gentle persuasion of the wonderful paramedics, my son, granddaughter and GP, I finally agreed and on the Tuesday before Christmas I was admitted to Darent Valley Hospital.

I am very pleased to say that my fears were quashed immediately.

The care I received in the A&E resuscitation department when I first arrived and throughout my stay in Lindon Ward was excellent.

And, because I was in hospital over Christmas, I even received a present and card. I really couldn’t have been treated any better and I would like to thank all the hospital staff and the paramedics for looking after me so well.

Thankfully, I am recovering well at home now but I won’t be so worried if I need to go to hospital again and certainly won’t leave it so long before getting medical help.

Doreen Elphick Wyatt Road Crayford