"Maternity Services - Ward..."

My wife was booked in for an elective c-section 4/1/17 - on arrival we were allocated bed 14. Within touching distance of the patient chair at bed 14 is a sanitary towel/nappy bin which is shared by the 6 patients within the bay - Disgusting. When the midwife came to check my wifes vital signs she commented on how much paperwork she had to fill in - we don't need to know this, apart from that she seemed competent/polite. The curtains were then pulled around the bed whilst she was assessed my wife to reveal bodily fluid splattered across the curtains - after we asked the curtains were changed promptly. Next an anaesthetist/gynaecologist came to do their bit they were both polite/respectful. Unfortunately the procedure was cancelled that day and were asked to return the following morning 5/1 which we did, we were allocated sideroom room 1 apart from the floor that had obviously not been swept or cleaned for a while the rest of the room seemed clean. Again the midwife/anaesthetist/gynaecologist visited and were all very polite. The procedure took place the theatre/recovery staff were BRILLIANT the environment appeared very clean, our Son was born we were delighted - Thank you. Then back to C23 - the care in general was good however my wife was told 3 times by her midwife that the staff on the unit were very busy and that if they forgot to do anything for her could she press her patient call bell - again patients should be being told by staff about how busy they are!! let alone how much paperwork they have to fill in, its inappropriate and can create anxiety and worry. Discharge came and was very smooth, we did have to bring the baby back in due to jaundice - once to the childrens ward which was spotless, staff were polite/competent and secondly to a drop in midwife clinic on Sunday 15/1 - the midwife we met there was FANTASTIC I can't remember her name but she seemed to have such a depth of knowledge and EXCELLENT interpersonal skills. The drop in clinic was located to the right as you walk through the entrance to the Croft Wing which I must add is the most filthy entrance to a hosptial I have ever come across the floor is littered with what must be thousands of cigarette ends and an assortment of litter - I was shocked. A cigarette shelter and a few more bins would help tidy this up and stop mothers/babys wading through clouds of smoke when they are entering/exiting the hospital. Saying that most of the smokers I saw were pregnant Mums. Overall we are thankful for the service we received and are just happy that we have a healthy baby boy, but do feel that there are improvements that could be made to enhance the experience of others in the future.