"As good an experience as surgery can be"

I recently had a hysteroscopic resection of a large submucosal fibroid at BWH and I am thoroughly pleased with my experience there. After all the bad things you read about the NHS in the papers, I was worried it would be a nightmare. How wrong I was!

From the moment I checked in on the morning of the surgery, everyone I dealt with was very professional, courteous and kind. The anaesthetist took her time to put my fears about anaesthesia to rest, assuring me that my fears were commonplace (and not stupid) and that everything would be fine.

The consultant also came by (with some very energetic junior doctors in tow) to explain the procedure to me. I really appreciated that.

There was a particularly lovely nurse who held my hand until I was put under and later praised me for my bravery through the painful vein-finding process (I have dark skin and thin veins so doctors always struggle to get a drip going).

After surgery, another nurse helped me to the ladies room and waited outside until I was done then helped me back into bed. They kept me topped up on painkillers which made the first few hours post-surgery bearable. I would have mentioned everyone by name if the anaesthesia hadn't left me too groggy to remember anything!

The registrar (and the junior doctors) as well as the consultant all came by post-surgery to tell me that the procedure was a success, which was very reassuring. I can't believe how much sleep I lost worrying about the surgery when in actual fact it turned out to be so straightforward and manageable.

Birmingham Women's Hospital is a gem. As I mentioned earlier, everyone - even the receptionist on the ground floor - has treated me with respect and dignity every time I have found myself there. Keep up the good work!