"Emergency Gynaecology Unit and Ward 33"

I was referred to the Emergency Gynaecology Assessment Unit on 27th April following a failed procedure at another local clinic. It had been an extremely traumatic day but I was quickly sent to a consulting room where I was assessed and scanned. Everyone in the unit from the sonographer through to the on duty registrar and the nurses were extremely professional and reassuring on what had been a very scary day for me and not knowing what had happened. My husband was allowed to be with me at all times.

The doctors were quick to explain the action that they would take next as well as the complications which had been caused by the procedure, and I was quickly sent up to the Gynae Ward 33 for treatment and observation. Having never been in hospital before I was worried as to what would happen next but when I arrived on the ward I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had my own private room, the room was quiet, large, clean and spacious, with its own bathroom and TV. Living a long way from the hospital I had no personal items or toiletries with me but the nursing team were quick to provide me with the essentials such as toothbrush, toothpaste and comb etc.

I stayed on the ward for the next couple of days under observation due to some complications as well as while they treated me. Although I found the whole experience difficult both physically and emotionally due to the nature of the problem, everyone right through from the doctors, nurses, clinical assistants and service staff were kind, compassionate and non-judgmental, treating me with respect and dignity, even knocking on the door every time they came into my room. I was always asked how I was feeling and offered various types of pain relief whenever I needed it.

I am now at home and recovering from my ordeal, but wanted to take the time to write this review given how impressed I was with the staff on this ward, as they made the whole experience at a very difficult time so much more bearable. The only negative experience was that there must have been 6 or 7 unsuccessful and painful! attempts to take blood from me on my arrival and I felt like a human pin cushion, but this was not the staffs fault and more where I was so dehydrated my veins had disappeared.

Please do pass on my thanks to all the team in this ward who cared for me between 27th and 29th April.