"A great experience with only one fly in the..."

My friend with learning difficulties was admitted to Ward 1 requiring spinal surgery. The medical staff explained the proposed surgery, were honest and supportive. The ward staff were fantastic from the housekeepers upwards.The learning disabilities nurse was an immense and important source of information, support and encouragement. I stayed preoperatively, and was made to feel very welcome.

On the day of surgery, the doctor was totally amazing. Caring, compassionate and kind, he put the patient entirely at ease, and his staff in the anaesthetic room followed his lead. The doctor can only be described as a star, and an absolute gentleman. The doctors and their teams did a grand job.

Her recovery in HDU and back on the ward was remarkable and as she was no longer in pain I no longer stayed, and the staff encouraged her independence, She was discharged less than a week after major surgery and it is all down to your wonderful surgeons, anaesthetist, theatre staff, nurses, physios, porters and radiologists. (Sorry if I missed anyone)

The fly in the ointment was one radiologist. 2 of 3 visits to radiology went well, with the staff providing care that was patient, caring and appropriate to her needs. Her second visit was the absolute opposite with the radiologist paying no attention to her needs, hurting and scaring her so much during a CT scan that she was terrified to return for a plain Xray the following week. That however was the only negative amongst so many positives.

Your hospital and care has restored my faith in the NHS after a few bad experiences recently. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

We know that my friend has got some difficult times to face in the future, but this experience shines out as a positive one.