"Marvellous emergency care and ward follow up"

Unfortunately my latest visit on Wednesday to A & E at the Redditch Alexandra Hospital was not my first one, but I have always had the most kind and thorough care anyone could wish for. Yes the staff are busy and COVID poses many further problems, but they will always impress upon you that you must use the call bell if your question is troubling you, or if you are still in pain. Or just a cup of tea to normalise things for you. As well as the trauma, you are now without support from a family member and the staff really understand your vulnerability at such a frightening time. There is also a new unit called Ambulatory Emergency Care where, if you can still walk, you may be removed from the bustling A&E to calmer environment to complete you care, or be admitted to an assessment ward. Here I encountered the all singing all dancing new Echo machine, which is a very new piece of kit that gives fantastic images, ensuring diagnoses are more accurate and extra information about your condition.

I needed a transfer by ambulance to Worcester Infirmary for more assessment and my care was completed in two days there, in a lovely peaceful ward and then back to Redditch pending discharge.

At both hospital sites I would like to say the food options have improved substantially and are tasty and nutritious.

Also I felt every member of staff had the empathy to understand how even if you are lucid and coherent, you will have some need for extra reassurance.

The overrriding confidence I felt was one of being safe and as a patient this is imperative.

The Staff on the wards have a brilliant sense of humour and will keep you amused when you may feel there is nothing to be happy about. Their professionalism shines through and their levity will raise your spirits.

Please do not be afraid of our wonderful emergency services and be as kind to them as they are to us.

I am hopefully now on the mend and am popping in soon to see the girls and boys who looked after me so well.

Today my rating for all of them is 11/10