
Ben has been living with multiple medical conditions for several years and through continually trying to manage these conditions has found it to be a struggle both physically and mentally.
One day whilst he was visiting his GP surgery, he noticed a poster on the wall of the waiting room about the Enhanced Care Team. Having previously been under many different consultants at Salford Royal hospital and with the pressures of driving to appointments and parking, which caused him to feel more anxious, he thought that he would benefit from this service. He spoke with his GP who in turn referred him to the service.
He was given an appointment with the Enhanced Care Team doctor who immediately made him feel at ease. The doctor undertook a medication review and referred him to the team’s mental health specialist for further support with his anxiety.
“The Enhanced Care Team took all of my stress away. I knew that if I called on the phone, I would get to speak to Dr Joyce that day”
Ben said that staff had treated him well and involved him with decisions about his care. He was advised how to manage his condition with suggestions to help him get out and about a bit more to build up his confidence.
“I got the feeling that they genuinely cared, nothing seemed too much trouble”
Whilst Ben doesn’t necessarily feel more independent, he certainly feels better able to cope and manage his conditions, stating that he feels he has achieved more in the 12 weeks with the Enhanced Care Team than he did in the previous five years with services.
“I always felt that I couldn’t talk to my GP about everything as there were time pressures with the appointment, but with the Enhanced Care Team, I feel I have been listened to and understand everything that has been explained to me. I was always looking forward to the visits with staff that were familiar to me. I just wished it went on for longer.”
This interview was conducted by Healthwatch Salford, the independent champion for people who use health and social care services.