"The staff are competent and tolerant"

I attended the accident and emergency department on Friday at half past seven. I have an underlying heart condition so I am a regular visitor of the hospital and know what to expect. My heart rate was very high and with my underlying heart condition I was seen to within about 10 mins.

The medical team in a&e then went through the usual procedure which I am very used to by this stage. I find this quite tedious as I know myself that the problem is always the same and I just needed to get to the cardiology ward. The staff nevertheless were extremely competent and kind. They were reassuring an informed me what they were doing as they were doing it. Everything was well explained to me. I spent 2 nights in the acute medical unit and couldn't wait to get a bed on the cardiology ward.

This ward is comfortable to live in and I feel more content here. The bed is clean and sheets seem fresh. I am happy to get a side room on my own as it is real lottery as to who the other patients on the ward with you will be. Your ward buddy can really effect your experience if they are less mindful of your privacy and less respectful of your desire for peace and quiet.

The staff on the cardiology ward are competent and tolerant. They put up with so much but maintain a lovely manner about them. They go through everything with me and explain it so I don't feel left in the dark about the plans for my treatment. They are accommodating of my needs  as well. For example, I asked to go and shower before they attached ECG leads onto me and they didn't see it as an issue. This allows patients to have a bit more freedom in making decisions which is great all round. 

My only criticism of the hospital is the building itself. It is nearly 60 years old and makes the lives of staff and patients more difficult. We should be able to use technology in this day and age to make life easier for staff instead of seeing them run around with oxygen trolleys etc instead of having a direct tube of oxygen like is in the yellowstone unit. The rooms are small and beds take up a lot of this space which stops staff from getting around quickly. 

The food is what is to be expected. It isn't exceptional but I cannot complain as the hospital is not a hotel.

Overall the staff on the Cardiology ward have not disappointed me again and I am grateful to them for all they do.