"Stoke unit"

Firstly If your thinking of leaving a review please do, if you don't how will the department know what is good and what could be improved. I've worked in the care sector most of my life and know that feedback is essential to make services better.

Staffing

Nursing - I saw some of the best and most dedicated staff that I have seen in my professional life, I felt that for many it was not just a job but a vocation throughout their 12-13hr shifts they remained focused and alert to their work and in meeting patient needs.

the only dip in quality was at night - there was a slight drop in the performance some nights - not always - it may have been staff been support staffing levels but patients some nights could go for quite a while between pressing their buzzer and getting a response.

Healthcare assistants - again during the day they were very good at night a lot more mixed, one or two were absolutely not suited to the role and had difficulty communicating in a civil or appropriate manner. The noise levels on an open ward at night are unavoidable but their was a lot of loud banter and discussions of personal life across the wards most nights when people were trying to sleep.

Student nurses - again they were pretty good and attentive interested in the patient and their support and progress.

Physiotherapy - very impressed, great communication assessment and support from all the staff - made you realise that you would progress every day and they put real thought into their work.

Dr,s / Consultants - again great, all were professional and helpful in their discussions, sometimes they seemed pressed for time, and again its problematic having discussions on an open ward.

Dignity - curtains were drawn and dignity maintained when changing patients. the open ward type works for observation and convenience but is less than ideal for privacy and overheard conversation.

Organisation - the timescale and speed of some tests and scans seemed to vary, for example knowing you would be getting an MRI scan done but it happening 2-3 days later, I think this is normal - not sure - if anything it would be good to be up to date with when something is happening to stop you waiting for it. Discharge from hospital - not sure if there was pressure bon the pharmacy but from being ready for medical discharge to the meds arriving on the ward took over 6hrs - this was not a problem but I could have made the bed available, One other patient waited over two days for an ambulance to be available to transfer him to a nursing home.

Overall I was happy with may care and support - and felt that it was a good unit where my medical needs were met. Like most of the NHS staff are working within the limitations of the environment, staffing land pay levels.

One other thought - Paying £5 a day for patients to access the internet - SKY should be ashamed.