"A big thank you"

I had a total knee replacement undertakenat the Dorchester hospital, Dorset, on the Ridgeway ward, last Wednesday. The surgical intervention and care I received at DCH was brilliant. The skills and personnel care offered at this hospital is of a very high standard. The very best thing about my stay at this hospital was how genuine the friendliness was, from all members of staff.

On my arrival at 06.35, I was meet by a volunteer who welcomed me and showed me the way to the surgical admissions ward. I was welcomed on to the ward and the lovely nurses and surgeon and his team got me fully prepared for surgery. I felt relaxed and very well prepared for my TKR. Surgery went as planned and I was soon on the ward. The ward was busy and full but all the members of staff were there for me. They were skilled and very friendly, nothing was too much trouble. The ward was clean and well equipped. They soon had me up walking and the goal was to get me home as soon as I felt confident to care for myself.

On discharge, I was given all the information, equipment and medication, I needed to carry on with my recovery at home. I live on my own but they have given me the skills to cope without any problems. It is very impressive.

I feel the NHS is worth fighting for. The wards do need extra staff and for bed occupancy to be lowered. The turn round in patients is very quick, a bed was not empty for more than an hour. You could see the staff had to juggle with beds to keep up with the high demand. I do personally feel, by lowering the bed occupation, there is nothing wrong to have a few empty beds on a ward, would reduce pressure on the amazing staff working at DCH.

Again, thank you for my TKR, it is going to transform my life.