"Specialist care fantastic, but improvements could be made on general wards at Queen's Medical Centre"

My experiences concern three areas:

Heart - In each case (3 events) the care, thought and professionalism show by every individual in these departments was first class. How the (seemingly overworked) staff responded to my feelings, yes even the doctors, was exceptional. A feeble joke always got a smile or, when better aquainted, the deserved groan, quietly concerned to ensure the best was being done.

Gall stones - A few frosty looks initially encountered, not unreasonable as I had been despatched towards the heart wards with chest pains. Eventually Gall Stones were established as the problem. Treatment, once settled, again first class. Not enough room to give proper praise. Surgeons, nurses, orderlies great.

Pain clinic - Lumbered with me for some time now. So how do you say an ongoing thank you to a really fantastic team. Their "oh so" serious leader really has got a sense of humour (well now & then). His team is something else. Words like dedicated, thoughtful, kind, give you the idea.

General wards - OK this is number four I know, and a real moan. When in one I appeared to be just waiting; fair enough. But they became depressing and often none too clean - one was also quite dark. Some of the staff that treated me appeared unmotivated and uncaring. I had difficulty in making out what some of the staff were saying as their English was not clear and appeared to be laughing and playing the radio loudly at their night time nursing stations. Most other patients frightened to ask for less noise. As for the day time, they appeared quite happy to leave medicine distribution three hours late, even when obvious pain killers were involved, and it seemed enough bodies were available for authorised distribution.

Patient's daughter's views:

Some staff are exceptional, some staff are not. The general wards are the worst. I know the mix of patients are difficult to handle but you have to get a grip on noise levels, make patients feel secure and not threatened by other patients, and present a calm, efficient place to be ill in. Staff have to be available in sufficient ratios to reassure patients (inc. speaking clear English), to dispense medicine, provide information and keep order. On one occasion an off the cuff comment by an A&E nurse cutting through my father's dignity, in my opinion, amounted to gross misconduct.