"Potentially a perfect visit ruined by one..."

First the very good points and they were good.

My second visit for a total left hip replacement. Last year was a total right hip replacement.

My surgeon is one of the best I have ever met. He exudes confidence, discusses the operation in terms that a layman can understand and the supporting team are much in the same mould. He actually shows interest in the patient. I cannot praise him enough.

The catering staff work under hard conditions as most patients really do not know what is happening. Again, highly professional .

The cleaners this year were much quieter and very helpful.

General nursing staff. Overall very good this year especially one who could not do enough for the patients. Nothing was too much bother for him. You should be proud to have a nurse like him.

The very bad points.

Last year I managed to work hard and was discharged in just 2 days. This year, I felt really weak, very dizzy and not at all well. I had wanted to go home on the Saturday but they said I was not ready, I agreed. On Sunday the Sister in charge came round and said I was to be discharged. This confused me as nothing had changed since the night before and all of my forms (4 different appointments due to the roof collapsing and rooms flooding - you should have told me this as I would have understood the delays) clearly stated an anticipated stay of 4 nights. I can send you copies of these if you wish. On this Sunday I felt worse than Saturday but the Sister would not even discuss how I felt. She said I was an NHS patient, not private, and had to go home. If I stayed I would have to pay private rates. At this point I had only been in 3 nights so I was very confused and puzzled. She said regardless of what was on my forms, it was a 3 night maximum and her word was final. We had left the car at the hospital as my wife is scared to drive on her own. On Sunday, there are no buses running from where we live so it was an issue. All the Sister could say was "well you must have someone who can pick you up, you cannot stay". She then instructed me to make some telephone calls to sort this out. I managed to work out with my wife a route in that took 4 hours but she made it.

Physio turned up with a wheelchair, ran me down to the physio room, spent about one minute seeing me make my way slowly and painfully up the stairs and said, OK you are discharged. I am not stupid, it was an obvious set up between her and the Sister. I really felt weak and not at all well. On the way home, I vomited once and fainted twice. Now I am home I am so glad as I do not have to be treated in this manner. I have very bad pressure sores and sleep is not easy but at least I am in a caring environment.

Just one person who made up her own rules turned an excellent visit into a nightmare.