"Outstanding Consultant, lovely caring nurses/..."

The most important issue for me was to ensure I made the correct choice and did my home work on hospitals. I required a major operation on my back, my GP gave me several hospitals to choose from for my surgery.

I did my research and spent a lot of time ensuring I was happy with my decision. I choose the OASS hospital. I was in a terrible amount of pain and having had an MRI scan and X-rays completed my GP stated I needed to see a spine specialist. I went for my initial appointment with the doctor and my husband sat in. My MRI scan of the lumbar spine showed severe localised spinal canal stenosis at L4/5 associated with grade 1 spondylolisthesis at this level. My surgery was a decompression and fusion of the lumbar spine using grafts and screws.

I was booked in a couple of weeks later. The nurse came and showed me my room, which was lovely on the back garden area. Assessment was dutifully completed prior to me being admitted, the nurse explained what was going to happen when I arrived.

I was made comfortable and did my food menu which I might add was the best food ever to have in hospital. So well done to the chef. Ensuite shower and toilet was in the room and a comfy bed and a TV on the wall. No WiFi in the hospital rooms, not sure about anywhere else. There is a telephone in your room for incoming calls, or as in patients we can use mobiles.

Ok so back to my first day. The anaesthetist visited me, the doctor, the Surgeon and nurses, all going through what was going to happen to me the next day plus signing of paper work.

The next day was my surgery, I was collected on my bed and taken to a room to take my vitals and put me to sleep. They were chatting away to me, I remember stating I felt abit dizzy and the man said it was normal, cannot remember anything after that, except waking up in the recovery room.

My operation was quite a long one at 3.5 hours and quite invasive as the doctor informed me it was seriously bad. Felt fine when I woke up. I had to lie on my back, they give you strong pain relief, I needed it more so the next day. I was very pleased to be offered these tablets. When I woke up, I was the next day shown some exercises by the nurse to do, you have to wear decompression stockings. Patients are given one pair, and I bought a second pair whilst there, as the nurses measure your legs correctly. This may or may not happen to you, so don’t be alarmed. Once getting up out of bed the next day after surgery, I couldn’t feel my right leg, when walking it felt spongy, this is normal however I needed to keep moving legs and ankles to try and get the feeling back. The nurse supports washing your back, and washes your legs and puts the stockings on. The doctor comes on his round to answer any questions you may have.

So in a nutshell:

The doctor I would trust with my life, a true gentleman

Fantastic nursing staff and all other staff

Thank you