"Excellent Care at Guys Orthopaedic - Sarah Ward"

I underwent a total hip replacement in January 2015 which resulted in a 3 day / 2 overnight stay in the Sarah ward at Guys Hospital. My outcome has been excellent - providing me pain free walking for the first time in years. I'm a 'young' hip patient <40. I couldn't recommend my consultant and their team more. From initial appointment with the surgeon to discharge from the hospital, I received excellent service, both clinically and administratively. I've not experienced such good administration from an NHS facility before. I was able to call the orthopaedic team and receive clear advice, guidance and support. Preoperative communications via hip school were very good, and I felt I had all the written guidance and support I needed to understand what was expected of me and what I could expect from Guys. My surgical team, anaesthetist and associated nurses were excellent and provided a very high standard of care. The Surgical Admissions Lounge was communicative and efficient. On the ward sometimes pain medication came slowly, even after requested. I had a few instances where I was in reasonable pain, having asked for the medication and waited 40 to 60 mins. Like all wards, you will have various positive and negative experiences with different nursing staff. We had one instance where the Sister on the ward scolded my mother for being there outside of visiting hours (the hours of which were loosely followed, as long as visitors weren't disruptive to other patients, they weren't asked to leave). The food was of an acceptable quality and plentiful and I really appreciated that it was hot when it arrived to my bed, having been served on the ward and not in a kitchen somewhere else in the hospital. I had same sex accommodation in a ward that accommodated 6 patients, but was only 50% occupied at the time of my stay, so it was comfortable. I thought I would have preferred a private room, but actually ended up appreciating the support and camaraderie of other orthopaedic patients experiencing the same discomforts. All in all I had an excellent experience with Guys hospital, the Orthopaedic team, SAL and staff on the Sarah ward and would highly recommend this facility to orthopaedic patients.