"Brilliant certain staff on ward D3 but poor..."

Had the (mis) fortune to be on ward D3 throughout the new year period for 8 days.

The staff on the ward floor were, in the main, fabulous.

The staff delivering the meals and drinks were absolutely fantastic, even remembering my name (it wasn't written above my bed) when I'd been moved in the ward and this particular staff member had been off for some days.

Most of the nursing and auxilliary staff were pretty good but my wonderful physio was the main hero in my surgery and rehabilitation following a considerable spinal injury.

I cannot thank her enough.

I am trying to find a feedback mechanism for individual staff so this can be taken into account on her record.

The communication of the medics/consultants was awful and bordered on the shambolic at times.

For the majority of my time in hospital, I had no idea what was going on.

I had one visit from two medics who asked me how things were progressing and failed to listen to a single word I said in response - even the lady changing my bed sheets was shocked by how rude they were.

As a result they recorded I was making an improvement on my records, even though I told them the opposite.

Awful behaviour, I wish I had their names but they even failed to tell me that audibly.

Similarly, I was throughout my visit promised by several consultants that I would be transported home in an ambulance, lying down as was the need following my surgery for the two hour journey home.

Ward administration refused to do this, eventually arranging under duress sitting transport with my local ambulance authority.

When the driver turned up he told me that; a - I should be lying down given my condition and b - they had plenty of crews that were available to do this.

Needless to say I wasn't really pleased with this treatment and lack of communication amongst staff.

My recovery could have been severely affected by the transport issue and the lack of compassion and understanding of the admin staff was upsetting.

So, a mixed experience.

Awful communication of consultant/admin staff with each other and me as a patient.

Some staff who should have been aware of the facts of my case weren't. BUT, certain individual staff (mainly the lower paid staff) were fantastic, supportive and generally incredibly nice and helpful.

Thank you for treating my condition.