"Nothing!"

What I liked

Nothing!

What could be improved

I wouldn't recommend this hospital to an enemy let alone a friend. My husband (57) was admitted with major trauma after a fall from a ladder. In the month that he stayed there was no communication between the Nursing Staff and my self. When I enquired about his condition or treatment I was told I would have to speak with his Doctor. When I pointed out that visiting times didn't coincide with Doctors rounds there was no response or helpful advice i.e contact phone numbers, Doctor will call you etc.

After surgery to his hip, as he was recovering, my husband repeatedly complained of pain in his left arm. His wrist was eventually x-rayed, with a negative result. They gave him a small ball to squeeze for exercise, but had completely missed the fracture in his left radial bone! Apparently this is frequently the source of a pain in the wrist. It has now healed, badly, and will require a further operation. More pain, inconvenience and time off! The staff ignored his complaints. They should listen in future!

Anything else?

From a purely practical point of view, the hospital was an hours drive from our home. It cost over £100 in petrol and then there was the parking fees, possibly the most expensive I've seen anywhere. In addition, just waiting to leave the car park could take half an hour. It's fair to say, not everyone works 9x5 hours Monday to Friday. It can be difficult to fit visits in during the allotted hours. The introduction of staggered, flexible or open visiting, would eliminate a lot of these problems.

If this hospital claims to be a leading trauma unit, it should take on board that relatives are also traumatised at these times, they don't know what they don't know but the staff do not care! They have an air of arrogance that pervades most of the staff on the wards, to the extent that opening or holding a door for a visitor is beneath them, as is offering helpful advice or guidance. They could take lessons from the volunteers at reception. I would trade the fancy over priced shops for better treatment and nursing staff with compassion and empathy who listen to their patients.