"I spent one day in the Gynae ward. The..."

What I liked

I spent one day in the Gynae ward.

The staff were excellent, from the reception staff to the very friendly anaesthetist, to the woman who held my hand when I was being given the canula, all the nurses, the way the pre-operation staff kept me talking while I was receiving final sleeping drugs, the way the anaesthetist informed me about what was happeing at every stage, both before and after going to sleep - very smiley, comforting, professional. The hospital was spotlessly clean. Pain relief was anticipated and extra was given immediately when I requested it.

My overall experience was excellent and I would have no quarms recommending this unit to anyone.

What could be improved

Connection between the ward and the pharmacy - a woman who was otherwise ready to be discharged,in the next bed to me had to wait over 2 hours just for medication to be brought up from the pharmacy. She was becoming stressed by this.

Food and drink - the food offered after the operation was one sandwich, this was after not eating from midnight the night before. Also I was offered one glass of water, although I was given a cup of tea after I requested it from a nurse. I had very low blood pressure, which would have been helped by monitoring how much fluids I was drinking. This was picked up later in the day and a nurse brought me a full jug of water.

More staff on the ward - most of the time I was there, the staff were only evident when they were actually talking to patients in the ward. When I went to the desk in several occasions, there was no one there to help with my query.

I will say that any negative comments I have are not directed at the staff I met at all, these issues are management issues.