"Thoroughly 'joined-up' care of a very..."

What I liked

The whole 'joined-up' feel of the hospital disciplines, the way the ward staff worked together so professionally while also creating a friendly atmosphere even when hard-pressed, the superb quality and choice of food, especially main courses. And of course the superb work of the consultant and the operating theatre team.

Also, as a teaching hospital, the way every opportunity was taken to teach new skills to student nurses. An object lesson.

What could be improved

while the ward was kept sparklingly clean, sometimes the cleaning of the loos, washroom and shower fell a bit behind during the day (recognising patients do not have the same standards of hygiene as hospital staff). The cleaning staff seemed to be working their socks off all day, so this is not a criticism of hospital personnel but maybe resource allocation.

Occasionally one or two staff could have been a bit quieter at night.

Anything else?

A week in the Lister has been an eyeopener. It shows what can be achieved where NHS staff have good morale and adequate resourcing. I have been very impressed (in fact quite moved) at the quality of what is available. I have come away unsure as to why anyone would choose a private hospital by preference! Maybe private hospitals 'pamper' more, but surely it's in the best of interests of healing to put as much responsibility on the patient as possible for their own recuperation- and the Lister got this balance just right.