Words of Gratitude
Patients share their stories and express their appreciation for the care they received at UHS facilities.
Intermountain Hospital
I was given strength to carry on through my life’s adversities. Intermountain was imperative to my well being.
I was overwhelmed, told the most horrific things by my two most trusted people. I was made to feel so worthless and crushed down to pieces so severely I could not see straight. I know I needed mental health help, but I never had the time, until the abuse I was going through was so severe I wanted to go away.
Overwhelmed and exhausted and severely sick, I turned and faced my fears and walked into this place. No one judged me negatively. I was met with compassion, kindness, helpfulness, and most of all I was treated as if I was a human being deserving of more than a hole in the ground.
I was provided with meals, sleeping medications, appointments, peers, safety, rest, phone privileges, snacks, clothing, toiletries, games, television time and many more important things. For me it was freedom and time for self-care, sobriety, care from proper medical professionals, peers who were like and not like me.
I left smiling when I walked out those doors. And I was given strength to carry on through my life’s adversities. Intermountain was imperative to my wellbeing. Thank you for taking care of me when I could no longer take care of myself. Thank you for providing me with safety, from myself and others.
I am not ashamed; I am grateful I had a place to turn when I needed to most. I loved the staff.
It makes me want to give back. Thank you.
West Henderson Hospital
Your Dedication to Providing Top-Notch Care is Evident in Every Aspect of the Hospital Experience.
As someone who has never been fond of hospitals, I walked into West Henderson Hospital with a significant amount of fear and apprehension. However, what I experienced during my nearly one-week emergency stay has completely transformed my perspective on hospital care. Words cannot express the depth of my gratitude for the exceptional treatment I received from every member of your staff.
From the moment I arrived I was struck by the professionalism and seamless efficiency of your team. Despite my serious condition – side effects from chemotherapy and other health concerns – the wait time was minimal, and I was promptly escorted to a private emergency bay. This initial interaction set the tone for the compassionate and attentive care I would continue to receive throughout my stay.
I was blown away by the state-of-the-art technology and the meticulous cleanliness of the facility. It was evident that every detail of the hospital’s design and operation has been carefully thought out to provide the best possible experience for patients. The modern equipment, combined with the highly organized processes, gave me confidence that I was in the best hands.
The nurses and staff in the emergency department were nothing short of extraordinary. They engaged with me and my family – my husband and daughter – with empathy and kept us informed every step of the way. Their attentiveness and genuine concern made an incredibility difficult time feel more manageable.
When I moved to my room, the transition was seamless, and the care only continued to impress. I underwent a comprehensive series of tests, all conducted with urgency and precision. Every procedure was explained to me with clarity, ensuring I understand the steps being taken in my care.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every department that played a role in my recovery – Nursing, Lab, Radiology, CT/MRI, Food Service, Housekeeping and General Staff. Each person I encountered went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and care for. The level of attention I received was remarkable; not once did I feel neglected or forgotten. That consistent care made an enormous difference in my emotional and physical well-being.
A hospital stay is never easy, especially with the constant monitoring, IVs and blood work that come with it. But your team made it bearable, even comforting. I never once felt like just another patient; I felt seen, heard, and valued. I must give special recognition to the doctors, who were phenomenal. Every physician who cared for me brought a sense of reassurance and expertise. One particular standout was the neurologist who checked in on me daily, taking time to address my concerns and answer my questions with patience and kindness. The fact that Occupational, Speech and Physical Therapists were brought in to support my recovery further demonstrated the holistic approach to care that hospital embodies.
Throughout my stay I was given options and included in discussions about my treatment and recovery plan. This collaborative approach made me feel empowered in my healing process and I can’t express how much that meant to me during such a vulnerable time.
I feel incredibly blessed that West Henderson Hospital and its exceptional medical team were introduced to me. Your dedication to providing top-notch care is evident in every aspect of the hospital experience. I have no doubt that as more people discover your facility West Henderson Hospital will become known as the premier place for compassionate and comprehensive medical care.
Thank you for turning what could have been a frightening experience into one of hope and healing. Your care, professionalism and humanity have left an indelible mark on me and my family.
Cygnet
A man with a lifelong neurological disorder has described how the support from Cygnet Brunel has ‘given him his life back.’
Phil Skeates, 55, of Moredon, was admitted to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon after suffering a seizure in a local supermarket. He spent three months in the NHS hospital trying to recover, but treatment was having little effect.
“I completely lost the use of my right arm and my ability to speak,” said the former lorry driver. “It was really scary, doctors initially thought I had a stroke as my symptoms were identical.”
However, an MRI revealed that Phil has Functional Neurological Disorder, a condition in which people experience neurological symptoms such as weakness, movement problems, sensory symptoms, and convulsions.
“The best way to describe FND is that your brain is like a computer where the hardware is okay, but your software is completely muddled up,” Phil said.
“I’m a really sociable person so when it affected my speech, it was frustrating. It wasn’t just the physical disabilities which impacted me, the mental health side was devastating.
“I couldn’t do anything for myself and it was really frightening. The nurses in Swindon were amazing and they tried their best to get my arm working and my speech to return. But I just wasn’t progressing and I was getting more and more depressed.
“One day I got so low that I really felt like giving up, it was crisis point for me.”
Eventually doctors referred Phil to Cygnet Brunel, a 32 bed service providing neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative rehabilitation for men with mental health difficulties and acquired brain injuries. It is part of the Cygnet Health Care division.
Phil was a patient there for another three months and said, “being referred to Cygnet Brunel was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Cygnet Brunel was my lifeline,” Phil explained. “I was in a dark place when I got admitted. I was really nervous and anxious when I arrived.
“But I was greeted with open arms. From the minute I went in through the door, the staff were welcoming and the other service users were amazingly friendly and supportive.
“That first day, I was led in hospital, I couldn’t even clean myself. I’ve always been independent and I lost all that. Just a couple of hours after I had been admitted, one of the doctors came to me and said ‘I promise I will make you better’.
“He fulfilled that promise and more. To be back in control is incredible. I can’t thank them enough for giving me my life back and also treating me with respect and dignity.”
Phil underwent a full treatment program with support from Psychiatrists, Specialty Doctors, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Physiotherapists.
“The treatment blew me away,” he said. “Within a few weeks my speech was back fully and my right arm felt really strong again.
“Staff were so patient with me and they helped me to see the bigger picture when it came to my health. They encouraged me to invest myself fully in the treatment and the results were mind-blowing.
“They gave me my life back.”
Phil said staff also encouraged him onto a healthy eating plan and he lost five stone from when he was first admitted.
“When I left Cygnet Brunel, I felt like a totally changed man to the one who walked in. An improved version, one with real hope for the future.
“I’m not naïve, I know I have a lifelong condition and it is something I will have to battle every day.
“But I have strategies in place to cope now and to overcome hurdles which come my way, thanks to the team at Cygnet Brunel.
“My life has totally changed but I’m really positive and I genuinely feel amazing at the moment.”