"Beyond Outstanding"

I’m in my 75 year and on the 25th November 2019 I had surgery on my bowel and small intestine at Cramlington Specialist Emergency Care Hospital. The care I received can only be described as being beyond outstanding.

I had met the surgeon on two visits leading up to the procedure and on both occasions, I found great comfort from the level of empathy, care and attention that I was shown. It was explained to me very clearly the risks and exactly what had to be done to resolve my potential future health issues.

On the morning of the procedure, minutes before the surgery began, I was met by the smiling surgeon and I believe the whole of the surgical team, and was shown great care and empathy. Having little experience of hospitals and no experience of major surgery I found this a great comfort. Any questions I had were happily answered at that time.

I was then moved to the operating theatre where I was met by a further team of very caring staff who explained what was to happen next. The anaesthetist in the team then administered an epidural injection and an infusion to the back of my hand and then I slept.

When the procedure was completed and I was conscious in the recovery area, the surgeon telephoned my wife to inform her of the success of the operation, this we think was such a considerate thing to do and totally reflects my experience of the wonderful treatment I received in the safe, caring hands of a group of amazing and pivotal people who are right at the centre of our fantastic Northumbria Healthcare Trust.

I was then moved to room 9 in ward 15 and put into the hands of the caring and capable staff there for several days and a after a final visit by the surgeon and the team, I was allowed home.

While in the hospital I asked many of those who cared for me if they enjoyed what they did, all of them without exception smiled and said they did.

My conclusion is that our Northumbria Healthcare Trust is a Gem and we must look after it.

Thank you so much to everyone who did such a brilliant job of returning me to health.