"4 day stay in Worthing Hospital - excellent..."

Anything else?

I was sent by my GP, unexpectedly, for assessment to Worthing Hospital for pain in my abdomen. I arrived at A&E and was quickly seen by the triage nurse, the booking in and reception was very quick and efficient and wait relatively brief. I was then seen by a doctor who proposed that I should go to an assessment ward. The examination in the assessment ward was efficient and the welcome introduction from the male nurse reassuring. It was proposed keeping me overnight for further examination on the assessment ward and I was provided with all the necessary equipment at no cost. Later since I was in pain and needed further investigatory tests I was then moved 50 yards to Coombe ward. I very much appreciate and thank the whole team for the excellent treatment I have received whilst there. The nursing care in particular was exemplary and without wanting to pick anyone out by name the female nurse on duty in Coombe on Saturday and Sunday (w/end 28/9th September 2013) was particularly impressive. I was able to observe how efficiently she dealt with a number of "incidents" involving fellow patients in the six bed ward with calm authority and control yet very efficiently maintained a heavy workload whilst dealing with each of the attention demanding patients with exemplary care and understanding. Above all the genuine compassion, sympathy and gentle humour care she gave to each patient was nursing at its best in my view. But I must commend indeed all the nursing staff because each one, male and female, in their own way showed similar care and concern with skill and capability that I know all the patients in the ward found comforting. I should also mention the cleaning staff and the nursing assistants because again each showed interest and care for the patients well-being whilst carrying out their jobs efficiently, be it cleaning (which was done extremely regularly and thoroughly), delivering meals and water or moving us to XRay etc. Incidentally, the food offered was very good. Although on a liquids only diet for much of my stay, the meals I did have were unexpectedly high quality, interesting and attractive menu and arrived in a hot and appetising presentation. Finally my thanks to the doctors, having seen consultants, registrar and junior doctors in different order and together. They were efficient in their diagnosis, effective in their treatment and communication and very helpful and willing to spend time in listening, understanding and resolving my concerns. I went into hospital last Friday 27th September feeling very unwell and in pain and in some trepidation of what NHS treatment would be like. I left on 30th September feeling far better than I have felt for a long time and with my belief and faith in the excellence of the NHS totally confirmed. Well done to the entire team and to Chief Executive who is evidently doing a lot of things with her team at Worthing Hospital that she and they should be proud of.