"Day case Centre excellent. Ward as inpatient dire!"

I found the Day case Centre to be excellent on having my surgery last week. Wonderful nurses. Clean and welcoming. Fantastic surgeon and theatre staff. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the main hospitals ward where I spent a few days prior to my day surgery a few weeks later. Not a single nurse in my two day stay introduced themselves. On admission I sat by the bed with nobody explaining what I was to do. I wasn't shown the toilet or bathroom. I didn't know there was a day room or how to use the television. Nobody could tell me if there was wifi or not. No jug of water, I had eventually out of thirst ,to go downstairs to WHSmith for a bottle of water. After 4 hours I got a jug of water and a glass which I had to go and search for. A doctor came and took my medical history while a cleaner mopped around my bed and emptied the bin. No curtains pulled around the bed, all 3 patients in the bay were privy to my information. Also looking on was a male visitor who stayed in the bay constantly during day hours with his sister. The excuse was they lived too far away to return home. I was very uncomfortable with this. Getting in and out of bed in a nightie and even worse next day with a theatre gown was embarrassing. The bathroom and toilet were in a very sorry state. Probably as they are so old and outdated. They must have been clean but didn't look it and most certainly didn't smell it. Unfortunately the toilet was also used for visitors and every passing person going to other departments at the end of the corridor. It really was unpleasant having to use them. The meals were very bland and tasteless and tea was banged down in front of me. No cutlery given to eat it with, I had to ask for some. The beds are very uncomfortable, it's cold during the night with only one thin blanket. It was also very very noisy and too bright to be able to sleep. I didn't sleep a minute. All this is bad enough but the day of my surgery was even worse. Due to various medical mix ups which are too detailed to go into I was taken down to theatre but ended back up on the ward without having my surgery. Medication I needed had been omitted which made the operation an unreasonable risk. I returned home later that evening. Reluctant to return again for my surgery I opted for my operation with a local in the Day case centre which was totally different. You wouldn't think it was the same hospital..I can't praise this department enough. Wonderful surgeon and theatre team. Fantastic facilities and nursing staff. A very positive experience. My hope is I don't need an inpatient admission at this hospital again although I would be happy to attend the day case centre and the eye clinic. Both of which I could happily recommend to anyone.