More than 1,000 experiences of NHS Borders shared via online platform

And staff say that hearing about people’s experience of care is really helpful to them, not only so that they can share your feedback with teams, but also to learn and improve.

Care Opinion is an online platform where members of the public can share their experience about the care that they or their loved ones have received.

Since NHS Borders started using Care Opinion, they have received 1,044 stories - and are extremely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their experience.

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In a recent story, one person spoke about the care their mother received after suffering from a stroke and wanted to commend the care that their mother received “throughout her journey”, starting with first responders and ambulance crew members.

When she arrived at the BGH, the person said that the “fantastic staff” in the Emergency Department “looked after her so well”. She was then admitted to Ward 5, where “every member of staff took great care of my Mum and offered me much needed support”.

They added that their mother “continued making great progress” thanks to the “outstanding support” from Dr Jack and the nursing staff, as well as “all the other members of staff working behind the scenes”.

The person continued by saying a “special mention” must go to the physios and occupational therapists who got their mother “up and mobilising” which “gave her the confidence and encouragement to do what she needed to do to get home”.

They concluded by saying their Mum is now “doing amazing” and they “cannot thank all the staff enough”.

Other feedback from this month includes a patient discussing their experience with the South Community Mental Health team in Hawick.

The person said that they have seen “so much criticism about mental health services” but that their experienced has been “amazing”.

They said that “after not feeling right for a while”, they decided to seek help from their GP, who quickly referred them to the South Team.

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The patient said, “I have been well looked after by Dr Turhan” and that for the first time in their life they feel like someone is “really listening” to them and “taking the time” to understand them.

The patient continued by saying that Dr Turhan is “patient and never judges” and that they know they are in “safe hands”. The person concluded by saying “I don’t know where I might be now without Dr Turhan” and that they have “really turned things around”.In another story, a patient spoke about the positive experience they had with Consultant Rheumatologist Dr Tan and our radiography and clerical staff.

The patient said that the service they received was “kind and efficient” and that after receiving MRI results that were “a little concerning”, Dr Tan explained “carefully and clearly about what the plan would be going forward”.

They said that they feel “extremely lucky” to have “such a wonderful consultant”. The person concluded by saying they were “feeling very thankful for the NHS” in this time of “huge demand”.

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Sarah Horan, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals at NHS Borders, said: “Receiving such heartfelt and positive feedback from our patients has a constructive and beneficial effect on staff morale.

“It is important that we learn from our patient experiences, both good and bad. Having an open and honest conversation with patients enables us to take direct action so please, if you can, take the time to give us your feedback at www.careopinion.org.uk.”