"My short stay following a total shoulder..."

Feeling apprehensive about about my forthcoming stay for an operation to replace my shoulder joint, I entered Cambridge Ward, Esher wing at Kingston hospital just before 7am on 29th August having been instructed to consume no food or liquid after midnight on the previous night other than water.

My admission went smoothly. I was met by my surgeon and various members of his team who once again explained the procedure I was about to undergo and the expected improvements to my lifestyle I.e. no more pain but with some reduced mobility to my shoulder following the procedure. I was wheeled in to the theatre at 9.45 am and found myself in the recovery room around three hours later. Feeling groggy but with little pain I was returned to Cambridge ward where I found myself to be the only patient on the ward which had a total of eight beds. I was constantly monitored by the nursing team throughout the day for both blood pressure and Sats and making sure that the painkilling medicine being administered was enough to keep me in a relaxed state without any unnecessary suffering. Having the ward to myself I was able to spread out and play the music I liked without fear of interrupting others. I was brought tea and coffe at various intervals and advised the location of the tea/coffe stand which also had orange juice and biscuits available without restriction. Apart from the excellent service I received I was quite amazed at the quality of the food being given a choice of three or four selections from the menu each time with choices also for vegetarians. I have to say that the quality of the food was excellent with fresh produce always available. Gone are the days of indigestible hospital food.

I was continued to be monitored throughout the night and there were always very helpful nurses and ward sister to explain my concerns and the treatment I was given which consisted of some very powerful pain killing drugs.

A week later I am now at home on the way to a full recovery from my experience. I would say that my whole experience has been a very good one and that I would not expect to have received better treatment had I paid to go private.