"Wonderful care from Ward, Recovery and Surgical..."

I had gallbladder removal surgery at Coventry Hospital a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't be more pleased and grateful with the care I received from the Ward nurses, Recovery nurses, Porters, Anaesthetists and Surgeons at SODA Ward 32 and the First Floor Theatre and PICU Recovery Room.

I have some chronic health conditions that have made surgery a bit complicated for me and for Recovery staff at other hospitals in the past, but the staff here all looked after me so well and helped me manage my "normal for me" symptoms before going into theatre as well as post-op discomfort, that I can't thank them enough. Usually my neurological symptoms and problems with anaesthesia and analgesia perplex ward and recovery staff in other hospitals, but because at Coventry the staff helped mitigate my everyday symptoms and not just the acute condition for which I was having surgery, and they listened to me, my operation and recovery so far have been much better than I would normally expect.

Administratively in the months leading up to the operation, I had experienced significant problems with lack of communication from the surgeon's secretary, being misinformed regarding waiting times and then experienced poor communication from PALS. Eventually, the admin teams finally put measures in place to deal with inadequate staffing and correspondence, and I finally received my appointment date with an alternative locum surgeon. But once I was in the care of the actual surgical and ward staff on the day of the operation, the professionalism, efficiency and care at Coventry was exceptional. And that's when it really counts.

Despite it being such a busy day for the nurses and a last minute change of ward which must have put pressure on them too, the attentiveness and sense of humour that the staff demonstrated were a godsend when you're a poorly and nervous patient.  They really all went above and beyond in a way that I've not experienced in a hospital before. Huge thanks to all the surgical, anaesthetists, recovery and ward staff that day - you made a scary operation much calmer and safe-feeling and managed my operation and recovery brilliantly.