"Huge thanks to all NHW staff for care during..."

I received exceptional care, from my first pre-op assessment, the admission process, the operation, the immediate after care through to check-out. For my Unicompartmental Knee Replacement, everything was explained to me clearly throughout and I opted for the spinal anaesthetic for my operation. As I entered the anaesthetists room pre-op, the assistant said to me ‘good choice’ and how right he was! Having had 3 injections (pin-pricks) in my spine, checks were made to confirm the anaesthetic had taken effect and I was then transferred into the operating room where I was welcomed by the theatre team. After brief introductions the sedation took over and just over an hour later I was waking up and talking to my nurse in the recovery room, quickly regaining full consciousness with no side-effects to the sedation drugs. We enjoyed a very pleasant conversation about our hobbies and past-times over a cup of tea while we awaited my chaperones to take me back to my ward room. My ‘single room’ was very comfortable, clean and tidy, and the ward nurse welcomed me back and talked me through the care process for my first night. I enjoyed my first meal, which was soup and sandwiches, as being the last operation of the day the kitchen was closed for hot meals. From this first experience of the catering to the last at the Wessex, the quality of the food was first class, always empty plates being collected by the catering staff after each meal. The follow-on care through the next 3 days continued to enhance my experience and majorly contributed to my swift recovery. Each nurse introduced themselves when starting their shifts and explained the care plan for their direct time with you. The Doctor who carried out my operation checked in with me each morning and evening, the anaesthetist, called by to check my progress on the second evening, the physio worked with me each day taking me from using the zimmer first morning to managing stairs independently with the aid of crutches by the end of day 2! The cleaning staff were in and out, introducing themselves, explaining and carrying out their duties efficiently around me and the chaperones when needed were on hand to see me safely navigated around the building for transfer to the theatre, X-rays and on to leaving the building at the end of my stay. I have just returned for my two weeks post-op visit to have stitches removed, change of dressing and follow-up physio assessment. All once again carried out with the high levels of competency, professionalism and empathy I have experienced throughout. Many thanks to all staff at the Wessex for your exceptional care and support, I thoroughly recommend the Wessex for NHS referred patients, this would be my first choice should I need their services in the future. Also thanks to the NHS for referring me to this Hospital, my pre-referral visits to NHS physios and knee specialists were equally supportive, providing all the advice and guidance needed.