"Exceeds Expectations"

What I liked

Liking is an insufficient category for what I received: objectively excellent medical care. I was given, free of cost to myself, life-saving major surgery to remove deadly oesophageal cancer. Everything was very well explained. The nursing care was outstanding - beyond what I could have imagined. There was a very wide ranging of auxiliary care: especially helpful were the specialist nurses and the chaplaincy, though there were many, many other specialists involved. I particularly appreciated the university context of the hospital. It meant people were not only doing their job, they were thinking about it! Doctors and other specialists were always available, even in the middle of the night. People treating me were informed about my case to a very high degree. The passing on of information from one person to other people was very thoroughly done. The care was so good that going back to the hospital for a final follow-up outpatient appointment was like a visit to friends or relations! I never imagined I would feel like this about it. I am very grateful.

What could be improved

Patients using mobile phones during the night sometimes made it difficult to sleep. A curfew would be an improvement. I didn't find the food very appetising, though this may be partly due to the fact that I had part of my stomach removed! But the people who took the orders for food were nice.

Anything else?

If you live on the Isle of Wight and are reading this because you are facing a similar operation, and would like to make contact with someone who has been through it, then please ask the specialist nurse to put you in touch with me.