"Emergency surgery and stay on A12 New Cross Wolverhampton"

I was recently admitted to Wolverhampton New Cross hospital for emergency surgery on a ruptured abdominal abcess.

From the moment that I arrived in A&E with a ruptured abdominal abscess I was met with calm, clear and responsive care. While it was obvious that every staff member was working at full stretch and without a moment to stop, I was always treated with dignity and respect. However, it was the remarkable dedication of the surgical team, and every single staff member of A12, that really opened my eyes to the professionalism of NHS workers who seemed to be working impossible hours and yet still giving everything they had.

I was not an easy case to treat as I have other serious medical conditions that required a special bed, extra care with anaesthesia, challenging surgery, and specialist wound care. At every turn the specialists involved took these things in their stride, made arrangements, provided the required care and worked across departments with speed and efficiency. I genuinely believe that I could not have received better care under any medical system anywhere in the world – and under our current system I received my care ‘free at the point of use’ (Something my American friends find incomprehensible, and something I would fight to my last breath to defend. We lose the NHS and its amazing staff at our peril. )

On A12 I saw meticulous cleaning – the woman was a dervish of activity, wiping down everything and mopping everywhere with the cheeriest attitude. She knew the importance of her job and took great pride in keeping the ward spotless. I’m not joking, I saw her re-clean a floor over four scattered Rice Crispies that escaped the breakfast trolley.

On A12 I saw nurses that literally never stopped. Nurses who were delayed by sometimes ineffective equipment, who were dealing with awkward or confused patients, who had to meet every kind of demand and unpleasant bodily function 24/7 and who still greeted you every time with kindness and your name. I can’t imagine the devotion and strength required to do this job, let alone at the wages we seem to consider adequate for that level of commitment. There’s still a reason they’re called ‘angels’.

The Tissue Viability specialists stabalised my open wound with a 'negative pressure' wound dressing and electric pump. They gave me confidence in my ability to cope with it as an out patient and the local nurses have been excellent in visiting to replace the dressings. I am healing well.

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