"I was very impressed by the quality of..."

What I liked

After hearing horror stories about other hospitals and witnessing firsthand the care my father recently received somewhere else, I was extremely nervous about becoming a patient. But after a recent stay at the Royal Free Hospital for a total hip replacement I can only say how very impressed I was by the quality of care and treatment I received, from the surgery itself to the day to day care I received on the ward from the physios, OT and nursing staff. The ward was clean and great care taken by the nurses in treating each individual patient.

What could be improved

Whilst pre-op on the ward I had to use the patient's shower and was somewhat alarmed and surprised to discover no grab rails inside the shower itself. I would think such an addition necessary for safety's sake on an orthopaedic ward.

Toilet roll holders fitted facing the toilet to avoid twisting the body to reach the paper. I had been told not to twist my body by the physios as this could be detrimental to my surgery.

Also, sadly, the food. I could only comment 'fair'.

Anything else?

Having read much recently about hospital food I am surprised that no one has mentioned (as yet) making a small charge to patients that are able to pay. Obviously there would be the usual exceptions but if I had been living at home instead of being in hospital I would have had to provide food for myself.