"Prolapse repair - OK apart from the Lillian..."

There are frequently long delays in the urogynaecology clinic and my consultant is very hard to see; he frequently sends another member of staff when I am supposed to be seeing him. However I feel that the team here have been more thorough in making an accurate diagnosis than doctors in other hospitals I have visited. I also feel that they have been more honest with me about my long term prognosis and the effects of childbirth delivery options.

All the day surgery staff were lovely but the anaethetic technician and ward sister went out of their way to reassure me when I was anxious on the day of the surgery. My consultant didnt actually do my surgery due to being called away at the last minute which was dissappointing, although I understand that consultant who did it is still very experienced at this proceedure.

So overall I am happy with urogynaecology and my actual surgery.

My concerns are about the Lillian Holland ward. Most of the nursing staff were lovely but didn't seem to understand important aspects of post-op care for prolapse surgery such as not uplifting heavy items like full catheter bags. They were slow to respond to my becoming constipated even though this should be avoided after prolapse surgery. Placing you feet on a step is a well evidenced method to help open up your bowels by stretching out your colon but they looked at me like I was nuts. They eventually have me some sick bowls as that were the most suitable thing they could find but they collapsed when I put my feet on them.

I asked about my IV antibiotics at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and then again at 8pm. I was becoming worried they had forgotten or that it hadn't been prescribed but the nurse I asked at 8pm was very brusk with me and said I would get them later. I explained that this was what all the other nurses has said this afternoon and asked when exactly I was scheduled to receive them. She was then very rude to me. I explained that I felt vulnerable and frightened that I was not receiving the medication that I needed to avoid post-operative infection.

The nurse came back with the IV antibiotic within a few minutes but then put the sterile canula junction into an empty medicine dish on my hospital tray after removing it from the packet because she had to pick up something else first. I felt unsafe so questioned this but the nurse was rude again. I didn't feel confident or comfortable explaining my concerns to the ward sister when I met her the next day - she seemed effective but quite formidable.

The Lillian Holland ward was dirty. The shower had other people's dressings and hair in it, the toilet and sink were dirty about 50% of the time and there was a thick layer of dust under the bed. The toilet cleaning sheet wasn't updated in two days.

I don't want to moan as I love the NHS and understand that the hospital is starved of resources by central governennt. However I do think that you could and should improve post-operative care for gynae patients.