"I spent time in Norfolk Ward both ..."

What I liked

I spent time in Norfolk Ward both before and after my daughter was born. The midwives were great, very friendly and professional, even the student midwife was very knowledgable and came across as confident in her job.

The catering was far better than anticipated, the food was actually edible (a great improvement on my last stay in hospital in the 80's) The catering staff were very friendly and even brought my dinner to me when I couldn't leave my bed as I was mid-feed.

After hearing the bad publicity surrounding the maternity dept recently I was concerned prior to my stay, but I can honestly say that it wasn't deserved, the care on the whole was very good.

What could be improved

Get rid of the stupid bedside tv console, I wouldn't mind paying if the hospital benefited but I despise a private company making money from this.

Needed more staff on at times, the midwives that were there were doing a great job but were definitely stretched and response to the alarm was at times slow.

The consultant should have told me that after an induction I would be kept in for 5 days, I know it had to be but would have preferred to have known in advance.

Anything else?

A big thank you to everyone on Norfolk Ward and to the nurse in the delivery suite!