"Excellent care on Willow ward"

I was placed on Willow Ward following an elective caesarian. I am a new mother. The staff (particularly the night shift) were fantastic with me and my son. I was treated with absolute dignity and respect. I had no idea what to expect and wasn't prepared for how much intimate care I would need post op but I always felt comfortable. Everything was done with professionalism and a sense of humour. My baby was treated as if he was the only child on the ward and we were both given excellent care over our 6 day stay. I cannot praise the staff enough.

It is quite true that it is almost impossible to get more than an hour of sleep at a time at any point in the day. It is a busy ward with only curtains as walls. It is also true that the washing facilities are embarrassingly poor. The bathrooms flooded twice whilst I was there. The bed spaces are cramped. The ward is hot and the catering is acceptable at best. What I can say is that I found the staff to be excellent. It is a very great shame that the maternity unit is so badly under-funded. This ward deserves better. Its all very well having a smart concourse and a Marks and Spencer but what is really needed is spending on facilities. Perhaps if the ward was better, other women might experience an easier recovery. Musgrove need to look at this. I feel the staff get blamed for the situation as a whole.