"Many mistakes. But some positives."

Pain control in SAU needs to be offered more efficiently. With my bowel intussusception I was left in agony and screaming for a long time before anything was given to me. Pain management has to be better organised, there has to be someone on hand to offer this before anything else. Without sounding over dramatic it felt primeval and third world. Not ‘Reading 2020’.

Offered spinal pain relief injection prior to surgery. All organised to be administered. Then I reiterated about my HHV8 infection (on record and previously discussed) Just as well I brought it up again as the anaesthetist I finally spoke to told me I could have been put at risk from meningitis by CSF contamination. So it was decided not to go ahead.

False diagnosis of Leukaemia given. It actually turned out to be Lymphoma ( LBCL).

SAU and Hunter ward are unbearably hot for staff and patients in summer.

Aside from these mistakes. Surgery was a success. I experienced some fantastic nursing. Friendly, warm and professional. Toilets were never left unclean for long. On a gastro ward this is very hard to achieve. They did well. Most consultants had the manner you would normally expect. Pleasantly surprised by others.