"I felt positive, cared for, happy and above all safe."

This account is applicable to whoever would benefit from this, so please do share across the team for me - 

The whole process was absolutely excellent from the moment we arrived at the TAL at 7.15am. The ladies welcomed us in, showed us to my private room space with recliner and tv and essentials (toilet etc), basic but really comforting amenities. From that moment all the staff and the whole experience (considering that you’re there for an op, nervous etc) was fantastic - really excellent staff, attentive, accurate, continuous observations, checks and visits from a wholly Multidisciplinary Team (surgeon(s), pharmacist, nurses, anaesthetist, physio etc), then equally excellent staff in anaesthetic room, welcoming, skillfully deflecting of what’s to come, take your mind off it etc, talked about my beloved cricket with me, even found in that short space of time before going ‘under’ that I had clubs and stories in common with the staff, Tony  and Chris  in particular) and just really put you at ease, I cannot speak highly enough of everyone, the atmosphere, the different environments and provisions…

After the operation, I awoke to caring, friendly and genuine, really genuine healthcare professionals of all disciplines, they were keen to know my pain levels and get them under control, which they did, with the appropriate medication, in good time and then continued to look after me, check on me and generally make me feel cared for until I was in their professional opinion ‘right to be moved’. I was given a nice food and drink comfort before this to ensure my oxygen and fluid levels and overall satiety were more than acceptable. Carefully moved onto a wheelchair it was no time before I was back at my small private room (with more than enough privacy and dignity) I was greeted once again by my partner and staff with smiles which at that time, especially as you’re coming round more and more, you need more than ever and good food selection, lovely fresh food sandwich options and that I like (I’m not particularly adventurous!) and the choice was just right along with fresh juice, yogurt and more than enough cups of tea afterwards.

This was complemented with the continuous confidence instilling succession of safety checks/observations in recovery, explanations of next steps and all the necessary taken care of (discharge papers, wound care, GP letter, sick note, follow up, physio visit, crutches, everything and questions invited and answered as opposed to one leaving having not asked any, unsure of the next steps and who to contact in the event of problems etc).

All in all, lovely caring and very dutiful staff and just the whole experience left you feeling positive, cared for, happy and above all, safe… commendable in any circumstances/season, but I think even more so in the climate that was live at the time of my operation with National NHS directives around electives and our own local alert status etc which is why I of course leapt immediately to help lists by accepting an earlier date when offered the opportunity. First class.

Thank you all so much, you're all a credit to NUH and the NHS.