"Excellent Treatment & Staff"

Anything else?

I was admitted to Colchester General Hospital on 09 July, 2013 for a full hip replacement operation. On arrival the staff in Copford Ward were very kind, efficient and understanding as I was feeling quite anxious. I was kept well informed at all times and the Anaesthetist was particularly reassuring when she came to see me before the operation - I felt I could ask any questions I wanted to. The Consultant also came to see me and confirmed what he intended to do and asked if I had any more questions. He was very professional and I felt he gave me confidence. He then drew an arrow on the leg that was to be operated on. I was informed that I was second on the list but luckily several minutes later I was told that I was now first and that I would be going to theatre in a couple of minutes which was a relief in a way! The porters were very jovial and friendly and the Anaethetist was again really supportive, one minute I was chatting to her and the next I was fast asleep - I didn't even have a chance to count back from 100! I awoke in Recovery around 11.30am and immediately a nurse that was sitting next to me started to talk and explained the operation was all over and that everything was fine and I would be taken back to the ward shortly. I was taken to Great Tey Ward and put into a single room and was told I could drink now. The nurses were very efficent, pleasant, helpful and friendly. I slept and dozed a fair bit and it was a relief not to have the same sharp pain and sciatica that I had been experiencing before the operation, it was more soreness/tightness and swelling which you would expect but that was kept under control by regular medication. The nurses were coming in regularly to do checks and blood pressure and with bed pans! The Consultant called in the following morning to see how things were too - he said the operation had gone well and that he had attempted to adjust my leg length which I was pleased about. He called in each day to see how things were going which was nice. After the first day, I mentioned to one of the nurses that I was feeling a bit isolated in the room on my own and she quickly (within 30 minutes) arranged for me to be moved to a ward with 3 other people. I felt much happier in the ward as there were people to talk to and more activity going on. The only negative thing was that the ward was too hot (bearing in mind there was a heatwave) - it was a shame that the windows didn't open more to let a breeze in. I can only say as I found it - I had no complaints at all with clenliness and staff. Copford and Great Tey Wards were very clean and all the nursing staff were very professional, approachable and helpful, in fact they couldn't do enough for you and I would like to thank everybody very much. I think the staff do an amazing job.