"Professional, caring and kind...."

I had a TKR 5 days ago and the treatment I received was second to none. I became tearful in the anaesthetic room and the Jnr doctor immediately began talking to me about personal non hospital stuff to take my mind off things. Once back on Quebec Ward I was cared for with kindness compassion and dignity (bedpans are not dignified!) with nothing being too much trouble. On day two they had problems getting my pain relief under control as the morphine was making me vomit, but within hours it had been changed and I was so much better. During the nauseous phase I had to go for an X-ray and the porter that took me was so kind, singing to me to make me smile and when we had to stop the trolley in order for me to vomit they rubbed my back with gentle ‘there there- you’ll be fine’ this was so lovely and epitomised the way all the staff go way beyond what is expected. I was informed of everything that was happening and every drug that was given right down to a couple of paracetamol was explained before I took it. The only blot on my stay was the lovely person that did the tea trolley - they were obviously stretched beyond breaking point -just the one person covering Boddington and Quebec! A couple of times we missed our morning cuppa simply because they ran out of time, through no fault of their own. They then had to face the wrath of several patients who felt they couldn’t cope without a cuppa! One could see how stressed they were but they remained professional, smiling, polite and calm. It’s just a shame that they had to take the flak rather than management.

I have just been for my first stroll since the op a mere 5 days ago, in the warm Autumn sunshine - thanks to my surgeon, doctors, nursing and ancillary staff that make this hospital the shining beacon that other NHS hospitals should aspire to. In my eyes you are everything the NHS should be.