"Is it Really a Hospital? Like no other I have ..."

At 82 this was my first personal hospital experience,a total knee replacement.But as my wife was once seriously ill, I do know what extended hospital care and environment is all about. The Centre was NOT my choice, my GP was responsible.In hindsight ,what a stroke of luck it was.I cannot thank him or the Horder Centre enough for allowing me to be a patient there..It would not be possible to better the all round superlatives that were given to me. To begin,I had three visits prior to the serious surgery,all of which were carried out ABSOLUTELY on time as my appointments suggested.They were done with a care and professionalism so good that my fears of the forthcoming surgery were quickly allayed.Every little detail ,some so small, were explained till I was completly satisfied.Even the minute details of my post operative period at home were explained and catered for.There are many things one needs at home that such surgery makes necessary,they covered and supplied. all the necessary items. Seconds before surgery,I was assured that they had done this operat ion so many times that they had the intricate surgery down to a very fine art,as indeed they have..The Centre deals only in Orthopaedic surgery,mainly shoulders ,hips, knees and ankles.So the massive overload of a major general hospital is absent.As a patient I was so grateful for that. Post surgery, I was overwhelmed with tender care and attention.My every need covered by day and night staff who clearly knew what they were doing.They were personally delightful and professionally expert.They are a credit to the Horder Centre.I have no doubt that I had just had the best possible treatment anywhere. My room was private and comfortable,with bathroom facilities as good as money could buy for the necessary circumstances.All the best technology equipment was as I needed it. Food is perhaps not the most important thing when one is not in great shape.Yet, it is as one improves.The food at the centre is produced on site,and it shows.I had choice ,quantity that I wished for,and a quality that surprised me for its delicacy and presentationOnce more another face of the Centre, but the same high quality of delivery that epitomises the whole operation.It is clearly managed to a superlative level of demand by its top officials ,and followed by a dedicated staff who make it work to that level. When I was delivered to the Horder Centre to have the surgery my friend who drove me there said'' is it a hospital? It looks like a country hotel'' I have to say it did not feel like a hospital and having left for two days now,I am in wonderment of how lucky I was to have my serious operation there. They have phoned me today to enqure of my progress! They promise to ring back!