"Ward 17 where a cup of tea is too much to..."

I would like to share the recent experience of a family member having twins/C section at James Cook. I would compliment you on the service and kindness of the antenatal staff at Northallerton and the Consultant who came from James cook to provide their professional and exceptional service at Northallerton.

Also worthy of note are both the charming staff member attending to domestic tasks in the afternoon of the 7th and the staff member (who also knits) that was serving in the RVS coffee shop at the the women's entrance.

The staff on duty at the weekend were also as you would hope and a credit to your trust.

The NHS guild lines state that, following a C section "you can eat and drink as soon as you feel hungry or thirsty" this is not the case on ward 17. On this ward you can only eat and drink if staff can be bothered to make you that promised cup of tea and toast. Almost 5 hours had passed and several promises from at least 4 staff members yet non resulted in the actual tea and toast.

Being able to keep some food and drink down is a crucial part of a persons post op recovery and in some ways their observations.

She was eventually given a cuppa and some food at tea time as part of the usual ward activities.

I would gladly have made this for the staff had I been allowed. It may seem to others an insignificant omission. However, I would argue that it is an important part of recovery and after care not to mention the woman's sense of general wellbeing and being cared about. I wonder also why have a process of ordering food only to present your patient with something else. On her second to last day her partner gave up and took her food back he asked for the ordered meal, the nurses who where by now serving themselves from the meal trolley reluctantly obliged. I do not begrudge anyone a meal but possibly they could sort out those who don't have access to a canteen or costa first?

Match this with the regular inability of some staff to refer to their patient by name, make eye contact, introduce themselves and be generally warm in their dealings.

They were more than willing to demoralise the patient and her partner with cutting and snarky comments about their perceived lack of the requisite garments/equipment. All of which was duly and quickly supplied once the need was identified. The loan of a knitted baby cardigan would appear to come with strings on ward 17.

For example, the right to try and belittle the parents for not having brought enough and make them feel guilty that, as they have it, they are depriving another baby of said cardigan. Asking for pain relief is also frowned upon with a "who do you think you are" attitude and "we can't get Drs out of surgery for you" isn't pain relief written up post op? The £28 parking fee for her partner who stayed the whole time to support her was disgusting as is the attitude of your parking attendants who man the buzzer. They should ensure proper signage is in place, I could go on but there isn't the space.