"Bravo!"

My partner was admitted through the A&E department of Northwick Park for attention to an Inguinal Hernia to the Edison Ward for surgery.  He'd been on the list for several months for an op but couldn't wait anymore as it had become far too painful and problematic.  Yes there was a bit of a wait when in A&E but it was very busy on a Sunday afternoon and the system they have does try to keep you moving through whatever stages you need to go through and the staff managed to do this.   I read on one of their screens that A&E aim to get you either treated and discharged or admitted for whatever you need next within 6 hours and Northwick did this, so Bravo!  

The hospital looked very clean and infection control and safety was clearly taken very seriously.

 

Once on the ward at around 10pm my partner was made comfortable and given something to eat.  His chart clearly said operation within 24 hours and by 10.30 the next morning he was being prepared for surgery with everything being clearly explained.

 I arrived just a few minutes after he'd been brought up from recovery and we had him up and walking about a few hours later.  The nurses though obviously extremely busy on the ward were compassionate, kind and very patient with both their patients and worried relatives and they took the time and answered any questions we had.

My partner was kept in for an extra night to make absolutely sure that everything was as it should be and then was discharged in the afternoon on the Tuesday, all in all approximately a 48 hour stay in hospital.

I can't thank the staff of the Northwick enough, from the reception staff in A&E through to all the doctors along the way and wonderful surgical team.  I want to make a special note about two of the nurses on the Edison Ward.  Nurse Chinju and Nurse Nicolini stood out for us as superb both in how they dealt with my partner's care and in dealing with our concerns throughout his stay.  Give them a pay rise, Employees of the Month or something because completely opposite experiences with other hospitals, nurses and services have taught us that nurses like Chinju and Nicolini need to be deeply appreciated.