"Very good treatment on Surgical Assessment Unit..."

I was unfortunate enough to become unwell last week and, following attendance at a walk in centre, was advised to go to SAU at NSECH with a suspected blockage in my bowel.

I attended with some trepidation as I have heard some negative feedback about NSECH but my opinion has been completely changed by my experience which was exceptional.

I did have quite a long wait to be seen by a doctor on my first attendance but was told at around 21:00 that I needed to have a CT scan and was asked to return the following morning at 09:00, although was warned that I may not be seen immediately.

I returned at 09:00 the next morning and was astonished when, after a five minute wait in a crowded waiting room, I was taken to a private room and told that this was my room for the day.

I was warned again by a nurse that the unit was extremely busy and that the nurse could not guarantee I would not have a considerable wait but the nurse apologised for this and said I would be seen as soon as possible.

To my amazement, before the cannula could be fitted to my arm, a porter was waiting at the door to take my for my scan.

I had the scan and arrived back in my room shortly after 10:00 and was told there that the results should be available within an hour or so.

The results were back as I had been told but I was sadly informed that I should stay in hospital for a couple of days, which I did not want to do.

Staff worked together and discussed any alternatives and came up with a plan which meant that I could have oral rather than IV medication and take this at home - I was so happy that this could, and had, been arranged.

Throughout the two days, I could not fault anything about my care and treatment and can say that every member of staff I came into contact with, introduced themselves and were courteous and professional and put me as much at ease as it was possible to do (I don’t like hospitals).

Sadly, I do not recollect any of their names with the exception of one nurse, who fitted my cannula and did blood tests and the nurse did everything in their power to make conversation and put me at ease, even when I became emotional.

Sadly, in the nurse exuberance to keep the conversation going, the nurse did inadvertently tell my daughter all of the finishing places of drivers in the practice race of the F1, the results of which she had gone to lengths to avoid as she was going home that afternoon to watch it on catch up with friends - I can’t, however, hold the nurse responsible for that and will remember this fondly when looking back on my experience (not so sure that my daughter will!!!)

Overall, a very positive experience which will make me far less worried about coming to the hospital if I need to at any time in the future.

I hope that this feedback can be passed to the Modern Matron and Operational Service Manager in the hope that all staff - surgical, medical, ward staff and porters - can get the praise that they deserve.