"Professional, caring, empathetic and a good place..."

What I liked

I was admitted via AED through to MAU and then wd8 on the 3rd January 2012. I was impressed with the care I recieved from all levels of staff from the student nurses on their first day, qualified nursing and medical staff in AED to the staff and consultants in all dept. I was treated with empathy, understanding by all staff. Once assessed by the doctor in AED the speed of treatment, gentleness was lovely. I am concerned re the continuity of care with 3 different consultants being involved while in MAU and wd8.

The food was generally of good quality and served hot although this was not always the case.

I would recommend all 3 areas involved in my care to others.

What could be improved

One area of major concern is the apparent lack of pastoral care visitors, as a qualified pastoral carer I was concerned that no one visited the ward to talk to patients about how they were coping emotionally. Although I was a patient I spent a lot of time supporting others when I could and when I needed support spiritually and emotionally the nursing staff tried hard with little time available or comprehension of what I was going through, perhaps this is one area where improvements could be made. I volunteer, as do many others, at The Canberra Hospital on a weekly basis providing a valuable service to patients, staff and visitors.

On discharge none of my blood or X-ray results were given to me which I feel would also improve continuity as my local GP does not have access to the electronic system used. As I was visiting from overseas and needed to contact friends and an insurance company - staff knowledge of an international fax would have reduced my stress levels.

Anything else?

nil