"Poor telephone information"

I rang to find out if a friend is still in ICU after an operation - 03004 222 222

Choice of departments on the automated system did not cover this.

Pressed 0 to speak to the operator as per the menu but got the same general message and same menu again - twice! This suggests the automated system is not working properly.

I managed to get ward information on visiting hours but not someone to tell me what ward my friend is on, nor anyone to ask to pass a message on to him so he knew I had called. Appalling!

My friend is elderly and has no family close by and few friends, so imagine how isolated he must feel. How does that help his hospital care?

There really should be someone available to speak to directly when callers ring, without being mechanically passed from pillar to post, blindly.

If you must use this dreadful, impersonal, automated answering system, you could at the very least ensure there are enough, easily understandable, and functioning departments to take the call, and ensure someone is available to speak to the caller ON THE FIRST PRESS of the menu choice. Being asked to press one thing and then another and then another helps no-one. It only creates frustration and confusion.

Clear, understandable communications should be at the heart of NHS services, and not just between patient and doctor - it should be a priority given to anyone calling a hospital, too.