Dr Gemma Dignam

Written by a patient at University Hospital Coventry

I went to A&E with severe back pain and left foot paralysis 26/6/2017. I was told the risk of complications of surgery were 1/100. I should have been nervous but I was in so much pain I felt like I had no choice. On the morning of 27/6/2017 I was greeted by a charming confident anaesthetist who took a thourough history and was completely honest and up front about the risks of anaesthesia. She spoke in lay terms and did not use any jargon at all. Something about her mannerisms reassured me that despite the risks she had warned me of I would be in safe hands. The team in the anaesthetic room were cheerful and there were so many of them I felt that I would be well looked after. They understood it was too painful for me to lie flat on my back so they let me lie in a twisted position. They did a rapid sequence induction which involved pressing on my throat while I fell asleep, but they did it so quickly and smoothly that I did not notice it happening. Next thing I knew I had woken up with no pain at all. I could move my feet. I was so happy it made the recovery nurse laugh. She called my wife immediately to put her mind at rest by letting her know I was OK. I would have no hesitation in recommending this anaesthetist, her team or the recovery nurse. If I was an NHS manager I would give them all jobs and if I was Jeremy Hunt I would make sure they all had a pay rise.

Recommend

Trust

Listening