"A privilege"

Just home from 11 days on Coltishall ward, and cannot speak highly enough of the care I received. I arrived via EAU, and that WAS a long 7 hours, mostly sitting on a chair, with severe biliary colic, and no pain relief till I'd seen a doctor but I understand the pressures.

Once I got to Coltishall, my Ultrasound showed up worrying spots on the liver, but I had to wait over the weekend for CT and then MRI scans, so it was a very scarey time. Being in hospital is a pretty intense experience - room mates come and go, and I saw more pain and courage in 11 days than I've ever seen. But the staff are amazing. They are so kind and reassuring - I don't think I shall ever fear again invasive procedures having heard them talked through.

My only concern is the length of time people sometimes had to wait for help to the loo or commode. This caused a lot of embarrassment and distress to some of my room mates. At one point a scarcely ambulant lady was about to set off by herself, helped by a postoperative room mate! I realise that the nurses and HCA's are very busy at times, but this does seem to be a basic human right. Maybe the bell could just be for toilet, vomiting and pain, rather than less urgent requests?

Apart from that, I have been privileged to meet some amazing people, both patients and staff. The cleaners and caterers are a breath of fresh air, the radiographers are kindness itself (I'm claustrophobic) the porters and theatre staff are lovely, and the nurses and HCA's are saints. The doctors fly in and out a bit, making it hard to catch names and roles, but without them I wouldn't be sorted and on the mend. And the beds are the comfiest ever!Thank you.