"We were so happy and well looked after."

I have recently had what I believe to be a fairly UNIQUE experience of having two operations by the same orthopaedic surgeon Mr Malik one privately and one on the NHS. He is an amazing consultant who diagnosed the cause of my foot pain that I have suffered for about 15 years.

I had the first operation privately at The Shelbourne High Wycombe and the second operation on a few days after. I believe they use the same operating theatre and the wards are on the same level!

The care I received on Ward 12b was absolutely amazing. Nothing was too much trouble. From the young man who brought our teas and coffees to the nurses and doctors. There were about four patients in the ward and we all wanted to cry we were so happy and well looked after. We all felt so desperately sad that the wonderful NHS is in such a crisis state.

I was born about the same time as the national health service was first introduced and feel it would be tragic to see it crumble.

In 2016 I was in a private room in the Shelbourne which I know some people prefer but I found it very lonely. Unfortunately I was allowed to drink four large jugs of water straight after my operation only to vomit it all back much to the horror of my partner. I pressed the buzzer before I was sick but it took ages for a nurse to come and help me by which time it was everywhere. Carpeted floors are not the best in a hospital room! In came the industrial carpet cleaner which made me feel embarrassed but of course I should never have been allowed more than sips of water. I believe that is basic nursing care.

Apart from that incident my care was OK in the Shelbourne and some nurses were better than others but I did feel very vulnerable and alone. Whereas in ward 12b all the patients and staff lifted each other's spirits. 

Three big cheers for the NHS and I just hope it can be saved before it is too late. I for one wish we could pay something towards the cost as well as through our national insurance contributions.