The Rheumatology department (in the new Mandeville building) seems to be situated in a corridor! I have had 2 appts there since it moved and both times have found it very impersonal- it is very small (when you get called through from waiting right next to the exit which is very cold & draughty) and so few seats that there is no room if you've taken someone with you. Also, there is a constant flow of staff, people going to and from other departments upstairs (diabetes centre & podiatry I think), therefore Rheumatology just feels like a corridor, not a department. It has been designed so badly. I found it very stressful and couldn't relax at all whilst I was waiting. Surely the hospital should understand that people with arthritis and other auto-immune disorders require more space than about 5 seats!!! You cannot see or speak to the nurse either, they are tucked away behind a shutter and if you want to ask anything, then it would be in earshot of anyone else sitting there! I dread my next appointment, as I do not see what can be done about these issues!
"Rheumatology just feels like a corridor"
About: Stoke Mandeville Hospital / Rheumatology Stoke Mandeville Hospital Rheumatology HP21 8AL
Posted by minxnicki (as ),
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