"I was admitted to A & E an ..."

What I liked

I was admitted to A & E an an emergency heart attack case on 30 March 2008 and seen and treated immmediately. Throughout the following week I underwent many tests including an angiogram at Wythenshawe Hospital. I was treated with care, kindness and consideration throughout, every procedure explained by consultants, doctors and nurses in MAU and in the cardiology care unit 31 at Tameside and at Wythenshawe. I feel that I have been treated with the utmost care, consideration and dignity and have nothing but praise for the medical staff. The wards were very clean and I was issued with antiseptic body wash and nostril gel agaist infection. The food was very good and always piping hot. I had previously heard negative reports of the hospital (from the December 2006 reports) but my own experience, after being admitted with a very serious and life-threatening heart attack, has been highly satisfactory and I would like to express my gratitude to all - organisation, consultants, doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff.

Sincerely, Dawn CR

What could be improved

Two points regarding cleaning procedures

The ward cleaning procedure is good in theory but those carrying out some tasks lacked understanding For example: after cleaning the overhead curtain rails, window sills, etc., the cleaner shook her equipment out onto the floor after lifting it directly across the bed over a patient.

When bed curtains were removed for cleaning, they fell onto the floor and then were scooped up close to patients. The clean curtains were allowed to drag all over the same floor area while hooks were being repaced. It would be better to allow the dirty curtains to fall straight into a more rigid bin so not touch the floor and the fresh curtains not to touch the floor at all.