"Great care from everyone, Urology wards Stoke and Wycombe - and not forgetting the ambulance crews!"

FIrstly my praise goes to the ambulance crew who came out to my house when I was suffering chronic abdominal and back pain. They didn't hesitate to take me to Stoke and Sara Jane took good care of me in the ambulance especially when I started vomiting. Stoke were equally good and helped take some of the pain away and didn't complain when I called them in the night on the ward. My CT scan showed kidney stones and I was transfered by another great ambulance crew, to Wycombe hospital. My thanks to the Keanu Reeves lookalike who sat and chatted to me all the way there!

Wycombe Urology ward were exceptional. This was my longest visit to a hospital since having my last child 18 years ago and it is the best hospital ward I have experienced. All the staff, including the health care assistants and the efficient cleaners were friendly and caring and gave their best even when busy. The food was really good and there was no end of hot drinks all day right up to bedtime! The registrars and doctors had fantastic bedside manners and in particular Dr Paul Haddaway who made me feel very special and cared for.

The hospital bed was extremely comfortable and the facilities brilliant - an 'ensuite' bathroom between 5 patients is pretty good in my opinion and I didn't have to worry about going far to the toilet.

There were a few disappointments - the treatment of my condition still isn't fulfilled and I now have to endure a few weeks of discomfort due to a ureteric stent (although I was sent home with plenty of painkillers) while they wait for a piece of broken equipment to be repaired. It is unfortunate that despite all the care I received I had to undergo two procedures under general anaesthetic and I have a third still to come. It was also disappointing that after I was first discharged and then readmitted two days later with stent symptoms, that despite being told by the ward to report to A&E Wycombe and tell them Urology were expecting me, I had to wait in A&E for 5 hours before they took me to the ward. During that wait however, I was looked after by a lovely young doctor who did a blood test and arranged an x ray and pain killers, so it wasn't a continuous wait.

I was discharged a second time two days ago but with the reassurance that if I suffer any unbearable discomfort that I can ring them up again. It may result in another lengthy wait but at least I know I can ask for help.

The whole experience overall has really put the NHS in a different light for me. Every member of staff, including also the team in xray, had excellent people skills. One of the receptionists in xray was very kind to me and got me an extra blanket as I was feeling pretty bad as I waited in the wheelchair for my turn, she was lovely. The porters too, let's not forget them.

I can honestly say that I am looking forward to my next visit which will hopefully be my last for this particular health issue!