"Gallstones and gallbladder removal"

At the beginning of May 2014 I was admitted to the RSCH at midnight because of a severe stomach attributed to gallstones. All the staff concerned provided excellent treatment, particularly the paramedics and young male and female doctors who methodically authorised two X-rays (abdomen and chest) and a CT scan along with ECG. After 4 days on intravenous hydration and antibiotic drips I was discharged feeling much better with a gallbladder removal delayed to allow my symptoms to improve and also because I had booked a holiday abroad. The only hitch was the 4 hours it took for me to be discharged. On 19/07/2014 I was admitted at 07:30 to the day surgery unit for laparoscopic surgery to remove my gallbladder. I was in the operating theatre at 08:30, in the recovery room at 12:00 and back in the ward shortly after. Prior to the operation both the surgeon and anaesthetist visited me and demonstrated good interpersonal skills as did all the pther health professionals involved in my stay. I was efficiently discharged at 08:00 the following morning having received my related medication at 07:30. That I was not discharged on the Saturday was due to my inability to urinate that day but all was OK by early Sunday so I thankfully avoided the need for a catheter. My request for the overnight stay caused no problems to the staff. These incidences are my first experiences of extended hospital treatment and give me much confidence in the NHS and RSCH in particular. Yours etc., Ross Connell (B.Sc, Ph.D)