"University Hospital of Hartlepool is fantastic!"

Despite the Trusts and the government constantly gutting the services at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, what service do remain are fantastic and continue to go above and beyond in spite of the cuts and closures.

I had had a spate of ill health recently resulting in numerous hospital visits. Each of the different departments has always been fantastic. The staff are always very welcoming and professional. The nurses, the admins and the consultants are all caring, considerate, knowledgeable in their respective fields, helpful, patient and professional.

The premises are always very clean. The toilets can occasionally be hit and miss, but are more often than not cleaned to a high standard.

The last two times I have visited, the consultant has dictated their clinic letter whilst I was with them. I do not know if this is a new regulation the hospital is trialling or just the personal preference of the consultant, to save some time, but I think it is a great idea. I felt involved. I was asked for my input during the dictations, the consultants checked that I understood everything, that everything was acceptable and if there was anything to be added. It's a great idea!

I am not sure if the hospital has any power to do so, but I would urge everyone to somehow try and find a way to get rid of Parking Eye. £3 per visit is extortionate. It's bad enough been ill enough to need to visit a hospital (or to visit someone who is), but getting kicked in the teeth with a £3 charge each time is unfair. I also think Parking Eye are disgusting for making Blue Badge holders also pay the fairs. Parking at NHS services should be either free (I'd pay a few pennies a year more tax for it!), or subsidised. £3 per visit is criminal. You get 20 minutes free, but it takes that long to get to the department you need. Parking Eye should be ashamed.

The person on outpatients' reception should win 'Employee of the Century'. No matter what day of the week it is, they have a kindness, happiness and enthusiasm that I have never seen before in a person.

I encourage everyone to complete the feedback sheets provided in the hospital and to leave reviews here. The more the decision makers can see that the care in Hartlepool is top quality, the harder it will be for them to justify culling further services from our town!