"Not as good as Private.........better"

Having been discharged earlier this week at the end of my fourth (and hopefully final!) stay in King's Mill, I must put on record my appreciation of the care, professionalism and compassion shown to me and those around me - always delivered with good humour, which was astonishing sometimes considering the disrespect with which some of my fellow patients treated the staff.

During this last admission I spent over a week waiting for my body to react to the procedure I had received, I was therefore able to observe life on a hospital ward (31 in my case) and I saw the very best and worst - or at least worst I wish to see - of human nature.

In addition to having to deal with straightforward cases like my own and others, I saw the staff helping one man die with dignity, while supporting his family: trying to keep up with another who wandered about because sadly he obviously had no idea where he was or why he was there: another who went outside every hour for a cigarette then complained he "was in agony" and nobody had been to see him (he had actually missed the doctor while outside for a " a breath of fresh air") and don't even get me started on the one who thought it appropriate to abuse anyone from Consultant down for two days until he had "had enough" (expletive deleted!) and walked out! .

My original admission over a year ago to King's Mill was in an emergency situation as a transfer from a Private Hospital. I had originally opted for private treatment a) because I could : b) because it probably removed my cancer earlier: and c) because I will admit

I allowed myself to be influenced by the media and Chinese whispers about the quality of care I was likely to receive in King's Mill.

Having spent nearly a week receiving private care I was concerned whether what I was going to receive in King's Mill would be as good. With the benefit of hindsight I have to say that the care, where it matters i.e. at the bedside is not as good as in the private hospital - it is better!