"A week in the PRU"

Anything else?

I've just returned home from a week in the PRU, where the team have been investigating a hyperactive thyroid. After a brief spell in A&E and one night in the EAD, I've been in Farnborough ward ever since. A summary of my observations: - the staff are absolutely brilliant - every one of them. Patient, committed, hard working, friendly, helpful, willing, I have nothing but praise for them. - the premises are clean, fresh and well maintained. - the care and service are fantastic, given the resources available. - the food in the PRU is very good - I enjoyed every meal I had this week. It is possible to sustain a fresh, healthy balanced diet without having food brought in. - A&E is like the wild west, whatever time of day or night you go in. Its a long, dull wait to see someone, its frustrating and upsetting, because you're ill and scared and you don't know what's happening, but people have to just accept that's how it is. The staff are saints. - the biggest problem at the PRU is the patients. I have been disgusted by the behaviour of many adult patients, who complain incessantly about everything, are abusive to the staff (why would you swear at someone who is trying to help you get better?!) assume they are staying in a 5 star country house hotel, where they should be waited on hand, foot and finger and expect everyone to run around after them? The staff are doing their absolute best with such limited resources, I don't know how they manage as it is. I could find very little wrong with the PRU and I had plenty of time to look. The architect should be taken out and shot and the temperature in some parts is way too high to be healthy, and you have to queue to park at times, but the really important things, like quality of staff, their commitment to their work, the standards of care, cleanliness and hygiene, are all in excellent shape at the PRU. My sincere thanks to everyone who looked after me so kindly and considerately during the past week.