"Renewed admiration for NHS"

I just wanted to write to say Royal Derby Hospital has given me renewed admiration for the NHS.

Recently, I suffered a detached retina and was hurriedly referred by my optician,I was nervous and scared, not knowing what to expect, but knowing if it wasn't dealt with soon I could lose my sight.

From the moment I visited Royal Derby, I felt cared for, respected, reassured, treated with dignity and patience and was well informed about procedures every step of the way. I didn't have to wait long at any stage and felt as though staff were 'working with me'.

Although I had had never visited the site before, various wards and locations were clearly posted - navigating with only one functional eye - I appreciated the bright white lines trailed to follow to Kings and everywhere seemed bright, cheerful clean and with good facilities.

I was especially thankful of the way staff communicated clearly with one another, worked as a team and the process along the way from registration to post op care seemed 'seamless' because of this.

Every member of staff I experienced seemed warm, genuinely caring, had time for me, treated me as a person and I just felt 'well looked after'.

The surgeon's expertise and reassuring, but down to earth and no-nonsense sense of humour made me feel as though i was in excellent hands but then, as I have already said, my overall experience was one of reassurance and positive care.

Such was my positive experience here that I am considering volunteering or helping in some capacity in future.