"Don't get ill in Watford!"

What I liked

I was taken into the RAU via A&E where the care was exceptional - doctors and nurses were brilliant, kept me fully informed and gave great care and humanity.

I was transferred to the AAU - supposedly a flagship new area of care. The medical and nursing care was appalling. I was not given any of the treatment that I was written up for, which included oxygen and pain relief, despite requesting it and being promised it. The nurses were rude and uncaring and did not speak to me at all - this very specifically relates to the night staff which were appalling. The unit is very noisy and even in appreciating that it is a 24 hour acute admissions unit, the staff do not give consideration to very sick patients already admitted trying to get some rest (I cannot say sleep as that is impossible). Worse of all was the consultant who undertook follow up clinic. Without doubt the rudest and most patronizing physician I have met. Has no patient care skills and causes patients to feel worthless and time wasters. I was disgusted.

What could be improved

Everything. I would say don't ever go there but as it is my local hospital I would ask the Executive Team to seriously reconsider the standard of care within that Unit and seek some kind of compassion and understanding and also consider that patients seek respect as well as care. They are sick and frightened but human.

Could you also understand that lying next to a sink with the bin lid crashing continuously throughout the night is nothing short of torture.AdmissionsFollow upApatheticConsideratePatient careRudeConsultantsDoctorsNursing staffKind