"My friend's stay on ward B3"

I am most grateful that Patients Opinion is available as it enables me to record my feelings about the NHS, with the hope that someone will take some interest in the comments made and make a difference to the area discussed.

I have previously submitted my story about mental health from a member of staffs point of view. On this occasion I write about my friends experience of a short stay on a medical admissions ward.

My friend has type 2 multiple sclerosis and was admitted to ward B3 one day at the end of February, with a new diagnosis of diabetes.

She was in a side room, although it was a short stay, she did feel quite lonely.

Unfortunately I was away for the weekend and so this made her feel even lonelier as I am her main friend and carer.

Unfortunately the room was quite shabby and was in need of a lick of paint, there wasn’t a television or radio so my friend could only lie there with little stimulation.

Although the ward wasn’t particularly a nice environment, 1 member of staff really stood out a staff nurse called Helen. Helen was also so kind and supportive in helping me plan my friends discharge.

Helen was a shining light in what I thought was a rather dim and dismal ward. Many thanks Helen and all the staff that work under the quite difficult circumstances that admissions wards represent

Best wishes.Tim.