"The A&E department were excellent. ..."

What I liked

The A&E department were excellent. Very friendly and worked fast to make a decision about my condition.

My operation was very successful so I must praise the registrar who did it.

I felt that the anaesthetists were well organised and communicated well.

I think the food was good for a hospital and there was plenty of choice. (those that don't like it, are probably used to eating at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant) Remember its a hospital not a 5* restaurant.

The Ward was also very clean. (it looked like a newly built ward)

What could be improved

Although the A&E department made a decision to admit me quickly, the Dr from the ward took an absolute age to come down and see me. They cannot have been waiting for beds as there were two spare in my room after I was admitted. I think they don't worry about coming down until they are told the patient is nearing 4 hours.

After my operation I never saw a Dr again which I found to be slightly strange. Even though I had no medical problems, I think it is good customer service to reassure your patient that everything went well and to answer some of my concerns about aftercare. The nurses could not answer many of my questions regarding my aftercare and Im sure one of them made up a few "facts" as they contradicted information that a A&E consultant told me.

I very rarely saw a nurse. Most of my care was by healthcare assistants who were ok but I have been treated at a private hospital on the NHS, and their standard of care was far higher which will attract patients in a competative environment.

Aside from patient care, charging patient to watch TV is disgraceful and my TV system broke which nobody came to repair until the following day. You also have to buy cards for £5 to watch TV, which costs around £2.90 per day, which means if you stay for 1 day it costs you £5 to watch TV. The remaining £2.10 is useless.