"Clifford ward as a Patient"

I was taken to Kettering Hospital last week with chest pains.

After sitting in A&E for far too long I was moved to Clifford ward

I found the Nurses, ward assistances and doctors very efficient; I wont add names here, as it just wouldn’t be fair

On the Friday I had 3 stints fitted, during a very fast operation (hour and a half). I returned to the ward where I received care that I have never had before, the staff there, although very busy were, always had time to help me and the others in the “bay” the whole stay was light hearted (sorry about the pun) laughter was always heard albeit mostly gallows humour, the banter really helped my swift recovery.

I feel that a lot of the staff on the ward are working at a lower grade than they deserve, I say this without knowing the ins and outs of the promotions scales.

The hospital is in transition, which the staff very much rise above to deliver real care that should make the hospital and the whole NHS truly proud!

The food was surprisingly good, I am allergic to wheat, which didn’t phase the kitchens at all, and all was excellent, even the lettuce and lettuce salad a first for me, the refreshment staff couldn’t do enough for ‘us’

The ward bay was very clean the cleaning staffed worked hard and fast the nurses also cleaned up any spills, blood or otherwise.

The ward should be a model for other local hospitals should follow

Thing to improve, hmmm, is a bit of nit picking is the delays as in A&E, I think a time for doctors to appear should be real times, not the doctor will be right with you then turning up 2 hours later, which I know is pressure of work but a running update could be given.

All in all the visit was efficient fast and dare I say it almost enjoyable, well maybe not! But certainly what a hospital should be about, Care, treatment of health problems and sending out into the world healthy and ready to do it all again.