"5 Star Treatment!"

I entered the hospital “system” in mid January through GP’s referral and have very impressed by all the care I’ve received. Last week following numerous tests, all of which were handled in very professionally and compassionately, I was admitted to Addenbrookes, Cambridge for surgery.

My overall experience has been very, very good - my only minor criticism is that the system to patient communication could have been better. For example, on the day of my operation I was asked to be at the hospital for 7.00am for the ‘morning list’. I booked in and waited for a very stressful hour for something to happen, with no advise on what or wasn’t happening. On enquiring I was advised that my op was not scheduled until 3pm, some 8hrs of arriving at Day/Short stay Elective surgery. I was not psychologically prepared to handle that information and the thought of sitting in a waiting room for all that time was very distressing. It transpired all major elective patients are required to be there just in case a previous op doesn’t happen.

Fortunately my ‘slot’ was moved forward to 12noon, by which time my bp was extremely high, but brought back under control.

Conflicting information on admission was also very confusing & ultimately distressing.

The op & post treatment was exceptional - op staff, recovery team, all the ward staff were amazing, kind, considerate & highly professional, massive thank you.

So, if I needed to be admitted to hospital again Addenbrookes would be my top choice - you deserve 5*’s. The NHS at it’s very best.

Yours, an extremely grateful patient