"First class care provided by true..."

What I liked

I had a hip replacement carried out on 28th July 2011 by Mr Gophals team and recovered on ward 8 . Its the first time I have stayed in an NHS hospital for any length of time and I have to say I was suprised by the quality of the care provided by the nursing staff , the food and accomodation. I have read many damming reports about our health service but having experienced it for the first time having had major surgery I am confident that this hospital has got it right .

Nursing care _excellent some of the staff are better than others but on the whole I had first class care particular comment should be made about Kim a student nuse on night duty during my stay who was absolutly brilliant and to Amy a nuse on day time duty who looked after me and others like a modern day Florence Nightingale . brilliant team work .

Food - Good to very good considering the limited amount of money the health service has to spent on each patient . The food was tasty ,well cooked ,plentiful and hot and served with a smile by the catering teams well done .

Cleanliness -Brilliant I have never seen a cleaner hospital I know there are minimum national cleaning standards which all hospitals have to acheieve but the whole hospital appearance from corridors to wards was first class .

What could be improved

Maintenance - Small point but in the ward I was on the light fitting difuser near my bed was damaged and missing one retaing clip it could fall at any moment I reported this to the staff and am sure some one has now repaired it.

The patio area off the day room could be a very attractive space for patients to recouperate if the seats where repaired pavers relaided and a small raised garden formed .

TV/radio- A rip off and not good quality ,I paid for a 2 day package at £10 and you get access to the internet and tv channels plus some phone calls in addition to the radio which is free, ther internet was poor and why Radio 5 live sports channel needs to be one of the pay channels and not part of the free radio channels is puzzling !! Most people have a moblie phone which makes the free phone calls redundant .

Anything else?

I would like to thank the staff particularly on ward 8 and Mr Gophals team for the excellent care I received throughout my stay .