"Signage in new hospital"

On walking into the “women’s and children’s” unit the welcome desk was straight ahead and empty.  We looked round and headed for maternity as there were no other signs with clear enough details of where we needed to be. 

Upstairs we headed towards maternity door. Clear signs saying doors open outwards......that’s all!!  Found a button saying Maternity and I pressed it. Looked like an intercom system but again no notice or sign. Then through the doors noticed a staff member sitting behind desk. As I tried the door As the “intercom” looking device didn’t make any noise only to see this staff member waving their hands shouting step back step back. On entering I did challenge them by stating the bell/intercom thing isn’t well placed. They informed me that people don’t read the notices as they are normally very stressed coming to the department and never paid attention to them anyway. I was told to “email” folk to tell them what I thought. They said that’s what they have to do too!!  To be really honest this wasn’t what was needed. They again advised us we were in the wrong place and again we hadn’t obviously seen the notices!  There is a clear notice saying “out patient scans”.  I understand that they probably had to say this/do this with each person who visits but a little bit of compassion would have been better than someone arguing their point. 

They did however offer to take us down to the correct place we needed to be but we declined saying if it is as signposted as they say it is then it will be easy to find. 

We then went back down stairs and There was a very kind lady to the right (we eventually seen after we got back to the main entrance). She said she had seen ya coming in and going upstairs and thought she knew where we were going. Maybe if she was directly at the welcome desk at the entrance she could approach everyone not at the side of the entrance. Just my opinion. 

She showed us where to go as again we couldn’t see any notices saying out patient scans.  On walking up a corridor we then saw a sign to the right on the wall (NOT visible from anywhere except right outside the door of the department). 

On going in we were met with the most amazing, welcoming, efficient, warm, happy staff in an very organised department which after the first 10minutes of our arrival was a blessing. 

Initial thoughts after a few minutes of entering the hospital......not good at all. 

To be told how I was feeling and that I wasn’t seeing the signs (that are clearly not there!!) I find this unacceptable. I understand teething problems but this has been open for a good few months now and should have been sorted long ago.