"Short stay after abdominal surgery"

Health care assistants seemed to be taking on the majority of tasks with the most care and attention.

Some nursing staff seemed aloof and unwelcoming , one in particular , very rude when responding to call buzzer.

Quite long delays for pain relief meant I was uncomfortable when it could have been avoided.

Sleeping was made unnecessarily difficult by very late lights out - after 11pm- and unnecessarily loud staff exchanges.

Staff could be heard complaining about staff shortages.

Quiet time prior to visiting wasn't routine or enforced.

More than 4 per bed at times didn't allow privacy and dignity of other patients.

Visiting times were not enforced.

Translating a menu for a male Polish patient took place at the bottom of my bed - not on his ward!

Cleaners moved my personal possessions and food items without asking me!

Plastic menu was passed from one patient to another- infection control?

Male and female toilets were not available- all unisex.

A male patient unlocked my door when I was using a bathroom!

I needed laxatives but this didn't seem a good idea when one toilet was out of order, one bathroom had been signed over to a side room user, leaving 3 toilets for more than 20 patients?? Using a commode would not have been practical or private enough given free for all visiting.

I had no advice re diet whilst in ward and ended up being constipated for 6 days.

Consultant suggested discharge which i was only too happy to agree with prior to local anaesthetic being removed. This was masking a great deal of pain which I had not anticipated.

A very long delay for prescribed drugs meant discharge and hence the bed was not available for at least 4 hours more than necessary.

I only say all the above in the hope that it may be used to improve services and future patient experience.