"Total knee replacements 2013/2014"

First op April 2013 - excellent experience and brilliant outcome. Second op October 2014 - same excellent experience and outcome. Different staff, except same specialist. Lots of attention and kindness!! Enhanced recovery programme and in hospital one night only. It was a really happy ward, four old blokes (patients) who enjoyed good crack with each other and staff. Theatre team were also brilliant, all first names with me and smiley, kind and respectful. The above only times I have ever stayed in a hospital. Cumberland Infirmary is probably the biggest employer in Cumbria. It was so impressive to observe it all coming together for the benefit of patients and their families. All free at the point of delivery. On the day of my op, my nurse worked a twelve hour shift and was still on the ward an hour later on handover. The same for the rest of her team. On admission, she was there to admit me at 7.30am, worked non-stop all day and was still looking after patients at 8.30pm. Next morning, same specialist turned up at my bed 7.30 am and again later in the morning to check me over. Physio signed me off and another nurse, also very kind, sorted my medication for home. There were several others in the ward and theatre teams, all of whom worked as motivated teams. Whilst I acknowledge that with such a large hospital there are bound to be variables, the local community should be made aware that their NHS in Cumbria is in the hands of professionals who are clearly dedicated to the delivery of a world class service. I have no connection with the Cumberland Infirmary or any personal connections with anyone who works there. I simply record as I found.