"Excellent"

What I liked

This was my first stay in an NHS hospital and although I was only there for one night I was so impressed with all the nurses, who were hardworking, patient and caring. Nothing was too much trouble. Because my op was late afternoon I didn't actually get to sample the food - just a sandwich after the op and cornflakes and bread and jam for breakfast.

What could be improved

The frustrating thing was arriving at 8am having not eaten since the previous evening and unable to have a drink and sitting for 4 hours waiting for a bed to become available. The staff were unable to give answers because they didn't know. The next morning I could see the problem - I was up and dressed but had to wait for the doctor to discharge me by which time it was lunchtime. In the meantime there were some of the day's intake waiting to be allocated beds, hungry and thirsty and not knowing when.

Anything else?

I was expecting a set-up like the day surgery unit where both my husband and I have had surgery and where a bed was allocated on arrival. My experience actually on a ward was quite different but very good after the initial frustration.