"I went in last year for my gall ..."

What I liked

I went in last year for my gall bladder to be removed. I was supposed to be in as a day patient but was kept overnight. The consultant I saw was very respectful and professional, and the operation went very well. The hospital was clean.

What could be improved

While I was waiting for my operation, I was put into a large room that seemed like it had been a ward at one time. However all the furniture had been removed except for five chairs spaced out round the walls. All my personal items were taken away from me. I waited there from 7.30 until 1.30 with absolutely nothing to do, not even one magazine to look at and not a word from anybody about how long I might have to be there. I don't expect to be waited on hand and foot, but why did I have to sit there staring into space for 6 hours when I was already stressed out about the op?

Part of my op involved being filled with a gas that made it impossible for me to pee - although I didn't know that at the time. I kept getting up to go to the toilet. I was feeling very weak and sore and it was difficult to walk there. Some of the other patients were kind enough to help me at times when they could. What a shame that none of the nurses offered to help me but chose to sit and watch me struggle instead.

I need to go in for another minor operation soon and I'm dreading it!