"Ward 62"

2 weeks ago I was admitted to ward 62 with a distressing ailment which resulted in emergency surgery. The surgery was unexpected and the situation was extremely stressful for both my self and my husband. It was a very confusing time and the situation was very hard to process. The surgical registrar could see we were overwhelmed and struggling to process everything and spent time clearly explaining the reasons the surgery was required and the many positives of having the surgery. The surgical registrar really helped us understand the process and we had an excellent understanding after the conversation.

Despite being fully aware of the reasons for the surgery, it's safe to say I hate going into surgery and really don't like being canullated . I knew I was on an emergency list, but that meant I could be going in to surgery in 10 minutes or 12 hours, I fully understand the waiting part and I was in a comfortable discreet room, with amazing doctors, nurses and HCA's to look after me. The staff had excellent communication and kept me up to date with when I would be going into surgery, naturally that changed a few times because it's a hospital and people came in with greater needs than I. However, the longer I waited the more stressed I got about surgery and the more aware I was that I cannula in my arm. The nurses identified this and did everything to help my stay be less stressful.

I had the surgery after about 14 hours after being admitted to hospital. I was tired, emotionally frazzled, agitated, hungry and thirsty (they did give me tea and toast that night so I wasn't starved) I had almost spent the best part of 14 hours worrying about the surgery.

The nurse who had spent the most time with me made sure that she was there to take me down and the surgical team could see I was in such a heightened state of distress that they reassured me and made me feel safe.

Obviously the surgery went fine with no complications, and the Consultant and surgical registrar came up to tell me what they had done, we knew what they might have to do, but no one knew until they looked inside. At this point I was not stressed because the surgery was over and the post surgery news was not the best, but not the worst, so my husband and I were happy. The consultant was very clear when explaining what they had done.

All staff handled our situation delicately and respectfully and kept checking both my husband and I were ok. Thank you so much to all staff involved.

The only reason I would begrudge using Darlinton again is the dire parking. When I was first admitted my husband spent 30 minutes trying to find a space. He was not the only person struggling! If people are anxious about the health of a loved one, they don't want to spend 30 minutes searching for a car parking space. The quickest time I have ever managed to find a space at Darlington is after 15 minutes of searching. I think this let's the hospital down the most.