"I was an emergency case, brought ..."

What I liked

I was an emergency case, brought in by Ambulance and the moment I left the ambulance I was in a bed within 3 minutes. Thereafter, everything happened seamlessly. The nurses were taking my blood pressure, pulse etc and various details. Soon after a Junior Doctor arrived, fitted a Cannula, carried out a general examination and took blood tests. Not too long after his Senior House Doctor arrived and examined and came up with his diagnosis. Due to the fact that I may have had an infection I was moved to a single room. The Consultant, Doctors, nurses, cleaners and catering staff were all brilliant and worked together as a well oiled team. Nothing was too much trouble. The nurses looked exceptionally young (doesn't everyone as you get older) but never once did it cross my mind to question if they were capable 0of doing their job. I saw Nurses encouraging patients to eat their food, making sure they took their medication and. where a person was thought to have sustained a head injury, they regularly questioned the patient to see if the patient knew where they were. Their demeanour, sense of humour and attitude were as important components in helping patients to improve as were medication and surgery. There are many aruments regarding the salaries of people in the NHS. Some people think some are paid too highly. We see obscene salaries and bonuses for City traders and footballers and many others and the question that springs to my mind is "how many lives did these people save today". I had many fears before entering hospital, particularly regarding infection, but the cleansing I saw taking place put such fears to rest. Although my accent is not of Cumbria (although I do live in the County) I found that had no effect on the way I was treated. If I was ill again, where would I like to go? The answer is the Cumberland Infirmary. I would be in extremely safe hands. Thank you all.

What could be improved

I was quite happy with everything, On the question of TV and I am not sure that peapole over 65 are aware that they receive two days viewing for the price of one. I would comment that paying for 24 hours viewing when you are bound to be asleep for some time is, perhaps, a bit much. I am sure that the technology is capable of adaption to reduce the number of hours on a card related to the time viewed.

Anything else?

The Government is considering bringing in road pricing. This would impinge seriously on people living in Cumbria when they have relatives in hospital. I was in hospital for six days, during which my wife drove 600 miles to see me. Adding the car park fees the cost to come and see me was £112.00 plus. This applies to many people in Cumbria and perhaps the PCT can lobby the Government and state that there would be a considerable financial impact on people travelling to see their relatives.