"Five star hospital, two star care"

Was admitted to Southmead Hospital Orthopeadics for elected surgery on my ankle in July I was very impressed with the booking in system and the level of care I received in pre-op and during surgery However, the care on the ward left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, despite the staff being very caring and trying to be as attentive as they can they were grossly understaffed. I was in a 37 bed ward of single rooms and the staff were running up and down the corridor like headless chickens, trying to answer the relentless noise of people ringing their buzzers After my surgery I was unable to get out of bed because I was non weight- bearing. I also have quite severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and had been off my medication for two weeks because it is contra indicated to infection. The nurse gave me a buzzer and told me to use it when I needed something. I rang my buzzer when I needed to empty my bladder, it took a while for someone to come and put a bedpan under me and then left me to call again when I had finished. On número use occasions I was left for ages before someone came. The longest being 15 minutes. The nurses apologised profusely but explained they were very busy. I do not blame the nurses for the lack of attendance, they were doing a wonderful job in difficult circumstances. However, I believe they are very understaffed for such a large ward What a shame that I have to write this review because the hospital itself and the facilities are wonderful. But it needs more staff to provide the 5 star service.