Could've been better [her health care], because I wasn't given information. I had to find it out myself. And while that hasn't disadvantaged me, it shouldn't be like that, your doctor should tell you. I know that I could go and ask my doctor, if I wanted to know something, but if you don't know that there's something there how do you know to ask. Many people would not you know they wouldn't have a clue about their epilepsy if they'd had the same like medical care as I had. So, from my point of view it's not a problem but for other, I thought, I actually thought it was quite poor.
You would've wanted more information?
More information, I mean like when I went to see the neurologist after when I was in the hospital. I remember the appointment lasted about ten minutes and ten minutes when you're telling a 19-year-old-girl that she's got a chronic condition that is potentially life threatening and is gonna persist for you know for pretty much most of her life, that's not long enough, at all. I mean I didn't know what to ask the neurologist. I'd no idea because I was just, “I'm epileptic, Oh gosh.” So, that it wasn't, it wasn't a good standard of care, I don't think.
Have you seen an epilepsy nurse or just a neurologist?
Neurologist. My GP though, my GP's surgery has been very good because I have a review every now and again and I think when the computer tells them I have to have a review and they ask me loads of questions. They're very helpful with it actually, they're much more helpful than the actual neurologist's clinic. So yeah, that's quite useful, quite like having those. 'Cos even though nothing changed, it's just good to like reflect on it and just think about it, so you know, yeah I quite like that.
Do you find that with the GP they get to know you as well?
Yeah, I knew my GP at home, definitely. I mean when I was first diagnosed we actually deliberately made an appointment to see my family GP because even though normally you don't get to see her because she's so busy, you just end up with you know whoever's in that day. But we actually deliberately made an appointment because, because we know her, she knows me, and she knows what I'm like, she knows what like level of information to give, so we did do that. With my GP here, they don't know me 'cos I've only been with them here two year, so they don't really know me. I only really go when I need a prescription and stuff so it's not like that, seeing someone who knew me definitely helped. |