"The dedicated medical staff were the only..."

I had previously attended the Hepatology clinic at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and had nothing but praise for the care I received. This was from first being referred to finally having a Liver Biopsy and staying on the CIU for the day.

I cannot even complain about access at the RHH as there was easy access by the Sheffield Supertram and a bus almost to the ourpatient department door. HOWEVER I then was transferred to the NGH and my experience changed for the worst.

Since public transport to the NGH from my home would have meant taking a bus and a tram to the interchange and then a long further bus ride that would have left me at the bottom of the hospital drive, and I knew the walk would be problematic as I have mobility issues, I decided to take my car to the hospital.It took 40 minutes to find a parking space which was at the other end of the hospital from where I needed to be. Fortunately I had allowed an extra hour before my appointment time which left plenty of time for the hobble across the entire hospital site from the car park to the Huntsman building.

I arrived on time to outpatients which was cold and dingy with the obligatory TV playing and plastic chairs. I was then weighed in the middle of the waiting room, no screens or dignity what so ever. I did tell the HCA I felt very uncomfortable being so exposed and was basically told that no one could see.

This statement was laughable as I could actually have reached out and touched the man sitting next to the scales.

I was then moved into a subwait area and eventually saw the doctor. The Doctor was very busy in addition to explaining my biopsy results, which were far from straight forward, they had to take 2 phone calls during the 7 minutes I was in with them. The doctor was brilliant and even though they were obviously busy they still made time to explain my likely outcome.

I did email the trust and complain about the lack of dignity in weighing patients in full view of everyone in the waiting room and how some patients may feel very exposed and self conscious in this situation. But, when my observations were addressed I was told that there is nothing that could be done. Apparently there should be screens but they were not in evidence when I visited.

As an ex NHS employee I do understand the constraints that a falling budget places on hospital managers but in my experience the dedicated, experienced and overworked hospital staff are the only redeeming feature of the NGH.

So my advice is to be prepared for everyone around you to know how much you weigh if the HCA doesn't bother to use the screens, and arrive in plenty of time to seek out a parking space in any one of the numerous car parks.