"My care was excellent, but nurses need better..."

Overview: I had a simple procedure that required surgery under general anaesthetic, I am male, young and otherwise healthy. I genuinely felt no pain. I am very pleased and would recommend this department. There was some imperfections though.

Cleanliness: Perfect, and the tea, biscuit and toast were good as well.

Staff cooperation: The staff seemed to work well with each other, my care and treatment was excellent.

Dignity and respect: This was excellent bar one nurse who seemed flippant, they were also angry with me when I left my bag in the patient waiting area (because I have never been in hospital and didn't know what I was doing). This nurse was also annoyed that I took a long time to get into my patient gown (I didn't know which way to put it on) and that I emerged wearing it back to front. The consultant spends time with you and go through things clearly, however I think I should have been forewarned at my pre-op that they may wish to take pictures, not told on the actual day.

All the other nurses were excellent, I can not praise them enough. They respect you as both a patient and a person. They left me alone when I was reading my book and was talkative when I was waiting around before the surgery (It does help immensely). There was more than one who remembered my name from my pre-op and hadn't needed to ask my name when I was admitted. I wish to especially praise one nurse who spent time overseeing me whilst I was poorly recovering from anaesthetic.

Involvement in decisions: Nothing happens without your permission. However when I was discharged my blood pressure was high, and I have now been referred to a elsewhere by my GP after it was still high three days after. The nurses knew I was healthy before the surgery and it was really high when I was discharged, that should probably be addressed, I accept that it was an accident. Also I will mention again I should be informed earlier of medical photography.

Same sex accommodation: As a young male I would prefer to be treated by a male nurse especially whilst in urology. I know there may not be as many male nurses but I still would prefer them. There should be an equal balance between male and female nurses.

Other: I could not help but notice that I had arrived at 7.00 and left at 16.00, the same nurses were still working. One nurse said they felt ill, and I noticed another was applying for jobs on the computer, one being a customer assistant at a supermarket. Although my care was excellent, I don't want the nurses caring for me to be undervalued. They must have woken up really early, worked at least 9 hours, feel they need to work whilst sick and not receive enough wages. I still can't help but feel they deserve much better.