"Fantastic experience, wonderful care"

Absolutely great experience from start to finish.

I was transferred to Kingston from St. George’s for Laperascopic Cholesystectomy.

Within a week of transfer I was called and given a surgery date and pre op assessment appointment.

The pre op assessment was very thorough, and all my questions were answered.

On the day of surgery, I was very well cared for with everything clearly explained.

I met the surgeon who went through the questionnaire with me and answered all my questions thoroughly.

I was introduced to the anaesthetist and we went through standard questions and again any of my concerns were addressed.

When i came round from surgery I was told I would be kept in and moved to Alex ward.

The ward was exceptionally clean and the nursing staff were a delight.

All very kind, caring and interested to know how I felt.

Two nurses especially stood out;one covered the night shift, and was really wonderful.

She made sure I had everything I needed and was always quick to respond to any request for further pain relief medication.

Checking the charts to ensure I wasn’t overdoing it and always with a smile.

The other nurse covered the day shift and was equally attentive, kind and caring.

The nursing staff, HCA’s and cleaning staff were all very polite, kind and helpful.

The level of cleanliness on the ward was really exceptional.

A week later in St George’s I wish I could have had the same experience, but sadly it fell very far short of the standards of Alex ward.

Later, after surgery, the consultant came to discuss the surgery I had just had.

He explained in detail that it has been much harder than expected and taken a lot longer.

He explained that he had to make an additional port hole and showed me photographs after I had requested to see them.

I was treated with kindness & dignity and very impressed by the consultant and his team.

He explained in detail what had happened during the procedure, and what the follow up plan was.

I was kept in for a few days with IV antibiotics and a drain.

The consultant and his registrars ensured I was checked daily and updated with exactly what was happening at each stage.

I was then sent on to St George’s for a further procedure which couldn’t be carried out at Kingston.

Sadly that procedure failed, and I was kept in at St George’s for 4 days.

I had a follow up appointment today (a Saturday no less!) with the consultant who again was very kind, clear and able to answer all questions I had.

I found him to be very approachable and able to communicate well in plain speaking about the entire process.

If you ever need upper GI surgery I’d highly recommend you ask to be referred to Kingston and this team.