"Excellent stay."

“Can’t wait to go back!” Said no one ever about a hospital. However, it is true, I had an amazing experience in the Alexander.

From first appointment to discharge: Was a little surprised to see the very smart staff member at the entrance, what a lovely welcome and i mustn’t forget the free car parking. There is a drop off point if required.

Reception is fast and efficient despite the hospital currently undergoing some refurbishment and waiting rooms are small and comfortable.

My surgeon is a very nice person, was able to stalk them on the net to explore their endless facets of medical experience. Very reassuring.

The pre op and pre physio lesson were extensive, the care was outstanding.

We arrived early on the day of the operation but shown straight to a room despite expecting to have to wait a while. At this stage it kind of felt like a hotel and it has to be remembered that this is a hospital. Various staff and my surgeon came to say hello, Didn’t catch the anaesthetists name but they were a nice person too, I kind of remember glaring up their nostrils briefly before…..

Back in the room which had its own en suite with shower products and towels supplied, a TV, phone, desk, wardrobe, several chairs and a small sofa, there seemed to be a lot of people. The after care was constant with a nurse or member of staff coming to check on me; bring medication; do observations; come in for a quick chat, bring menu; this place works like clockwork.

The staff here work very hard and during my “morphined stupor” I was able to remember and have to say thank you to: the nurses who brought me Iced apple juice with a straw on a regular basis and who really cheered me up - cheers! A nurse who cared for me in a way that felt special and I called them the wrong name my whole stay and they didn’t mind. The trolley personwho I called the wrong name. Another lovely person was amazing, called me darling and offered to stay with me when i got upset and made me feel normal when everything around me wasn’t normal. The nice housekeepers, the staff who brought meals, thank you to you all.

Two very patient and extremely encouraging physios, made me work hard and do stuff i didn’t think I could do. This being my very first full hip replacement I didn’t know what to expect, with support i was able to shift my right leg which felt like a lump of concrete, stand up and take steps.

Almost forgot to mention the food…….well see I liked the food, the menu appeared to be a little limited and hard to grasp to start with, the morphine didn’t help but there were specials every day and remembering that I was in a hospital and not a posh restaurant the food was extremely good, very well made, good portion size, fresh, appetising, well cooked and regular. I only had to ask for extra drinks if i wanted one and they were served really quickly.

Thanks for excellent care.