"KEMH Anaesthetics Team"

I have a history of medical trauma associated with a gynecology procedure that occurred in the private sector. 

I am 36 weeks pregnant and attended KEMH for my cerclage removal. After an attempt on the delivery suite,  I was then scheduled for theatre. During the process I was provided with the opportunity to discuss my previous experiences and then was provided with options related to either a GA or Spinal. Significant consideration was given to both and ultimately I was empowered to choose what was right for me.

The team were incredibly lovely, so supportive and able to provide an environment that made me feel as safe as possible compared to what I have experienced in the past as a scary and incredibly traumatic experience. The team validated my past experience and explained the pros and cons of my choices in light of that experience.

During the procedure they kept me informed of each step, and advised me about exactly what was happening at each stage, even when we had moved into the theatre whilst the procedure was occurring. Simple things like explaining what is happening and being given a hand to hold was incredibly grounding and the exact opposite of what I had experienced and how I was made to feel in the past.

Given theatre demands the original team I started with had to change, and they all explained that they had to leave and provided a handover to the next clinician taking over their role. Thank you so much for this, the care I received was really wonderful and has supported me to feel comfortable and safe in an environment that previously felt the exact opposite.

I can’t remember everyone’s names, but I think there was Dr Sara, Dr Annica and the anesthetic technician, Sandra. My follow up with the consultant the next day on their pain round was also very validating as my concerns for headache pain were heard and validated.