"Unimpressed, frustrated at poor communication and..."

What I liked

Clean reception area.

What could be improved

a) a received letter with information about where to go, contained inaccurate information about how to access outpatient surgical department, which was confusing and not only delayed our arrival to the unit but also increased level of nerves prior the procedure.

Pl be more specific on where to go!

b) once we arrived, the receptionist was very unprofessional in telling us to go to second floor but did not say where in second floor to go, who to report to etc. Also, why going to a ground floor receptionist just to be told that we have to go upstairs, when we could have gone the the unit straight away. It is only waste of our and staff's time. In addition, the receptionist could learn to smile and welcome many nervous day case patients and their relatives with friendly smile and welcoming manner.

c) Once in the correct unit, my partner was seen by four different doctors who asked EXACTLY the same questions! Each session lasted between 5-10 min with new paper work. As much as I understand that a doctor and a anesthetist must see a patient prior the procedure, could they not see him together? That way, they would come across more professional at join discussion, all sides would know what was being said, that the operating site was marked and the paper forms could be filled in at once without repeated questions and time saved, without irritating a patient by asking again and again same questions. The service would be also quicker and more efficient by having one session, rather then four little ones. I believe that NHS service should be tailored around needs of patient as much as possible and not around needs of health care professional or old habits which seems to cope insufficiently with large numbers of patients.

Anything else?

d) communication between patient, relatives and the staff! My partner was not explained what was to happen prior surgery nor how to look after his wound site or what to observe for! or how to take his pain controls tablets!