"A really comforting experience, I..."

What I liked

From the moment I got to the ward, at 10 o'clock in the morning, I was made to feel comfortable. My operation was very late, around 7.00pm and, of course, I was not allowed food or water but I was still kept informed and treated sympathetically. What more could the medical staff do?

After the operation I suffered some worrying drops in blood pressure, handled professionally by all concerned and things turned out well. Happily there was good friendly humour on the ward, so very important when patients are feeling stressed. The humour in no way detracted from the professionalism of the staff, I always felt that I was in good hands, and events have proved this to be so.

We hear so much in the media these days about hospitals being dirty, well this complaint could never be levelled at Beckett ward, in fact me and my fellow patients commented on the cleanliness.

All in all I say a big Thank You to everyone concerned, tea ladies, cleaners, nurses and doctors – I saw them all. Of course no-one wants to stay in any hospital longer than absolutely necessary, but this was a much better experience than I had been led to expect.

Well done to everyone.

What could be improved

A small point but perhaps worth mentioning. The information sheet I was given instructed me to report to Day Surgery, I thought this was odd but I did this and was then directed to the correct ward. This was not far away but getting the instructions right, particularly at the beginning of the hospital stay, would help put the patient at ease. If things are not right at this stage one fears what else might go wrong.

Anything else?

If all of the wards are as good as Beckett then everyone at St Albans City Hospital can be very proud indeed. Well done.