"More staff to look after patients post surgery"

The surgery itself was great, surgeon and anaesthesiologist wonderful, as was the nurse who accompanied me into surgery. The nurse who cared for me on the ward, however, I felt was severely lacking. She did not know what surgery I was having and had to ask me, rather than look at the records. In my opinion there was absolutely no aftercare provided. This was not the nursing staff's fault.  I feel there needs to be more staff to look after patients post surgery.

I arrived early in the morning and was only offered toast and coffee once post-surgery. No other food was offered or provided. I had to ask for water. Fortunately I was able to get up and around quicker than most of the other patients but those who could not, I felt were suffering.

I had planned to stay overnight, as I had no one to look after me at home, but, since I felt there was virtually no oversight or monitoring provided, I figured I would be better off on my own. I did have a friend agree to look after me at home, but she could not stay all night.

The ward was clean, but it took hours for them to collect my gown and other items, they remained on the floor for the bulk of my stay. Throughout my stay, there were very few signs of nursing staff on our floor. One lady was sick and had to deal with it on her own. Another needed to get back in bed but was left upright for the entire day. Again, no food was offered, for most of us on the ward that day.

I know it is not the nursing staff's fault, they are expected to do too much and had no time. I think Tameside needs to provide more aftercare staff on that ward. It was appalling.