"A depressing experience at my husband's surgical consultation"

Thank you for taking the time to share you and your husband's experience at Leeds General Infirmary.

I was sorry to hear that the experience was unsatisfactory both in the examination cubicle and the pre-assessment area.

I shall make sure your comments are passed to the Patient Relations Manager at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Please accept our apologies and regret for the distress you and your husband experienced when attending an appointment for a surgical consultation and pre-operative assessment at the Leeds General Infirmary. You are quite right when you say that a lack of privacy is not acceptable during a consultation between a doctor and a patient. It is recognised that the Brotherton Wing has been long overdue for refurbishment and work is currently in progress to make improvements in this area and address the issues you raised in your comments. This also includes making the consulting rooms more soundproof. The work is currently being undertaken and should you and your husband have to attend another appointment I hope you will find the experience a much more pleasant one.

With regard to the Pre-assessment area there are additional toilets located within the Medical Outpatient department nearby. While hot drinks are not able to be provided there is usually a jug of fresh water and cordial available every day for the use of patients.

If you would like to discuss this through in more detail please do not hesitate to contact Patient Relations Department 0113 2067168

Thank you for your response to my letter of compliant as underimpressed regarding outpatient facilities at the LGI

I was very pleased to learn that improvements are under way in the Brotherton wing Outpatients I am sure this will be greatly appreciated by the patents.

Regarding the lack of toilet facilities, if there are additional toilets in a nearby area, we did not find any. So, perhaps a sign could be used to direct patients to these. There was no such sign on our visit.

There was also certainly no jug of water or cordial available on our visit. In any case, I do not think a jug of fluid, which may sit around unprotected for some considerable time, is a very hygienic way of providing water in a medical facility. Maybe a water cooler and some disposable cups in the outpatient area could be provided.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. The Matron will look into the signage to identify how it can be improved and will remind staff about changing the water regularly.

Thank you once again for bringing this to our attention.