"Excellent Experience at Emersons Green"

I am a Wiltshire CCG patient and in late May (2017), went to my GP seeking referral to a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for a total knee replacement of my left knee.

Within a few weeks I had seen a consultant (at Devizes) and been referred for surgery at Emerson's Green.

Within 9 weeks of my GP appointment, I have had the knee replaced and throughout the process, have nothing but praise for Care UK staff at both Devizes and Emerson's Green.

Apart from the significantly shorter waiting time for the operation compared to, say, GWH, (and which could have been even shorter had I opted for the first available slot), as Emerson's Green only does elective surgery, I also had a very high degree of certainty that the operation would happen at the planned time, on the planned day, which greatly helps to reduce any stress or anxiety felt about the operation.

The facility at Emerson's Green itself is modern and clean, with free parking, free wifi, and free TV.

The food is good, and the staffing ratios appear to be very good.

I met with the consultant orthopaedic surgeon and the anaesthetist before the operation, and both again, twice afterwards, either during the planned twice-daily ward rounds or at other times.

I always felt that all of the staff had sufficient time to ensure that my treatment and recovery was as good as it could be.

Post-operatively, the nursing and physio support was excellent, the staff friendly, professional, and attentive.

I couldn't fault it.

I was discharged two days after the operation and now, 12 days further on, feel I am making excellent progress.

I also find the Care UK 'Pocket Physio' app is useful for supplementing the information and exercise guidelines given to me by Emerson's Green staff.

If patients are able to make the journey to/from Emerson's Green, then I highly recommend it, all the more so given my experiences of a previous knee replacement at a different hospital.

Overall, this was an excellent experience at Emerson's Green.