NHS Borders has received 903 posts on their Care Opinion online platform where people can share their experience about the care that they or a loved ones have received.

Understanding people’s experience of their services offers a valuable insight into what is being done well or could be done better.

Feedback is then shared with staff so that improvements can be made.

One unnamed service user recently told how grateful they were after their son received care from a multi-disciplinary team saying: “My son suffers with addiction problems which over the last few months have escalated and become even more difficult. He was admitted through A&E and from stepping through the doors I was grateful for the help he received from every professional in the building.

“With the help of the incredible staff from domestics, support workers, occupational therapists and consultant a plan was made for him with the amazing help of the addictions team. Thank you to everyone who was involved in his care - without your continued commitment to the service and to your patients the NHS would struggle to support this ongoing crisis.”

Another contacted NHS Borders to tell about the experience they had when they were recently admitted to the Borders General Hospital.

They said: “Having recently been admitted to BGH with severe complications after having Covid-19 I can honestly say I have never felt so well cared for and looked after… both in A&E and in the ward.

“If you have a “didn’t we do well” noticeboard for staff please let them know I think they are fabulous, working in extremely challenging times, always with a kind word, thorough explanations and a smile. Keep going everyone. We, the pesky public do think you are all doing a magnificent job.”

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.”