"Surpassed expectations"

My 90 year old mother-in-law was admitted to A&E on 5 January suffering from pneumonia, high blood glucose levels and weak kidneys.

The three paramedics who assessed her were efficient, kind and caring.

They said she should go to PAH rather than Barnet (my choice as it is near my home) as time was of the essence.

She received first class treatment in A&E and in subsequent wards - AAU/AEU (?), Saunders and Short Stay Transition.

We visited nearly every day and could see how well she was progressing.

Although she is hard of hearing and misses a lot of what is said to her I appreciated the time the staff took to explain things to her.

In fact, I would say that staff made a big effort to communicate information to patients and visitors in a very clear fashion.

Once she was deemed "medically fit" for discharge she had to wait for an enablement bed in a care home to help her back to independent living.

She was very comfortable in PA hospital and actually didn't really want to leave!

She kept saying how delicious the soup was - compliments to the chefs!

My only minor niggle is one which I have experienced in other hospitals - it concerns the waiting time for medication to be ordered and then dispensed by the pharmacy on the day of discharge. In my mother-in-law's case this was important as she was up against a deadline to secure the bed in the care home.

Fortunately she made it just in time.

Overall, I can honestly say she received excellent treatment.

I would like to thank all the staff on her behalf who do an amazing job under very trying circumstances.

Bravo the NHS!