"Ward staff are super"

Overall, the only word I can use to describe my experience in Craigavon Hospital is brilliant. I have myeloma so have been in and out of hospital quite a lot and I think Craigavon Hospital is the best hospital there is.

I came from the mandeville unit to resus and was then transferred to the accident and emergency unit. I waited a number of hrs before  I was given a bed in a side room on this ward. 

The staff were excellent. They were pragmatic and tried to get me sorted as quickly as they could. They listened to everything I had to say and responded with great advice and a plan for my treatment. I have anaemia so have been getting blood transfusions and the staff have kept me in the loop with when that will be so I have time to prepare myself. I am in a side room as I am very immunocompromised and for infection control purposes it is thought that I am safer being away from others. This can be quite lonely and isolating but staff are very friendly and they constantly pop in and out as a reminder that they are still there. Even when they are running past thinking of the 100 things they have to do, they always give me a wave or shout a hello. It is reassuring to know that people are genuinely looking out for you as hospital stays can be extremely daunting. When I mention staff I mean everyone working who keeps the show on road. From the cleaners and porters to the kitchen staff and finally the doctors and nurses, they have all individually had an impact on my experience in hospital. They are all extremely professional and I think what they do is a real vocation. 

My ward space is clean and tidy. It is comfortable and I have no complaints. The only good thing about having a side room is that it is very private and you have your own space. 

The food is good and I would have no objections about it. It is what you expect from a hospital which cares for 100s of patients and serves a purpose.

The wifi works very well for me and staff were able to help me set it up on my IPAD. This is a very useful facility to have in the hospital as it is a good way of entertaining yourself during the very long days. 

I have no negative experiences to report apart from long waiting times which would obviously be brilliant if they could be sped up in an ideal world. I am aware however of the fact it simply takes time to organise things and I am aware that staff try their absolute best to do what they can despite their lack of resources.