"My Patient Care- Exceptional"

I am sick to the back teeth of reading bad press about Stafford and Cannock hospital. I am thankful and grateful to be able to say that I have not needed a lot of assistance from both Stafford and Cannock hospital but when I have, the level of service has always been exceptional.

In February 2013, I was suffering from a condition which has now been diagnosed as New Daily Persistent Headaches. Both doctors at my local GP surgery (Rawnseley Road surgery of Hednesford) and all of the receptionists, nurses, doctors and consultants at Stafford Hospital provided to me exceptional level of care and service. Unfortunately, I was referred to Stafford A&E in February 2013 as the condition noted above had to be investigated and to rule out more serious conditions such as a brain haemorrhage and meningitis.

From the moment I walked into the A&E department and was advised by a receptionist, the moment I had a first consultation with a nervous followed by one-to-one treatment with a Dr, the level of care was exceptional. I was admitted overnight for further investigations. I had a lumbar puncture procedure which was conducted by a doctor who was unsuccessful. However, he was clearly inexperienced in this area and he certainly tried its best. He clearly explained to me that he needed to try the procedure and he was extremely professional.

I gave him my consent and was happy for him to try the procedure. He was very persistent but was unable to successfully complete the procedure. The senior anaesthetist came down and completed the procedure quickly. The level of service was phenomenal. All of the nurses on all of the wards were attentive and professional. All of the service I have received throughout the whole of the NHS in relation to getting the above diagnosis has simply been fantastic. To reiterate, this is involved my own GPs, staff at Stafford hospital and a local specialist called Dr Ballinger of Cannock. All have been exceptional.

I am now delighted to have found out that I am expecting a baby and was offered the choice as to where I would like the baby to be delivered and my care provided. Of course, I have chosen the my baby be delivered at Stafford hospital. Although I am only 13 weeks pregnant, the level of care given to me by my local GP surgery, the midwife Diana Websdale and Cannock hospital has again been exceptional and I expect this to continue in accordance with my previous experiences.

I appreciate that there have been staff members in the past whose behaviour has not been acceptable and has subsequently led to the detriment of the reputation of Stafford and Cannock hospital. And indeed, if allegations of neglect of proven to be true, there is no excuse for such behaviour, but it is for the management team of the Trust to deal with this appropriately, this is what they are paid for.

There should be a clear whistleblowing policy allowing all staff members to report inappropriate conduct and behaviour and they should be safe in the knowledge that no detriment whatsoever shall be caused as a result of making such a whistleblowing. Managers should have responsibilities in relation to targets (because they are important) but perhaps other and maybe different managers should have the overall responsibility in relation to staff management and patient care. I disagree when people suggest that targets should be removed as there is too much paperwork, targets are important to promote a good level of service and ensure that staff know their goals. However, if, and this may not be the case, managers have too much responsibility in relation to targets and performance, it is clear that one area will slip. Remove employees causing trouble and let the exceptional staff continue to do the job that they have always done and strive to do.

We cannot let the inexcusable behaviour of the extreme minority spoil the overall performance and reputation of the hospitals involved and I reiterate that the only level of care that I have been provided by all staff members has been nothing but exceptional. Long may it continue.