"Overall good experience at Medway Maritime Hospital"

In February I had a right hand side inguinal hernia repair in Medway's day centre. All went well and a friend took me home for the night. The staff were very attentive. I do question the use of codeine pain killers. I came home the next day but went onto ibuprofen which I prefer. Fewer side effects too.

In April I had a prostate (TURPS) redo. It had been done 13 years ago. I elected to have a spinal anaesthetic which I highly recommend. You don't have to watch. Recovery was O.K.

The food was adequate though why don't they do more basic menus. It sounds fantastic on the menu but looks rather ordinary when it arrives. I don't expect cordon bleu but a few more vegetables might be healthy.

Also they were concerned as I'd not "been" I cannot use hospital toilets as there is no privacy. After a blazing row they let me come home 3 days after the operation. Within an hour of arriving home I "went" with enormous satisfaction. I think this aspect of patient care should be given more consideration. I know my body better than anybody else. Extra vegetables could help in this respect. I have a plateful of cabbage every day.

I'm waiting for post op. appointments but am glad to say everything is working fine again. Every pee is a sacred moment.

I do feel too much money is spent on administration. Pen pushers and clipboard operators don't make people better. More recognition should be given to medical staff, nursing staff, porters, clerks and phone staff. Administrators get enormous sums of money that I feel could be better spent elsewhere.