"Type 1 Diabetic inpatient stay before Christmas..."

I have type 1 diabetes and before Christmas went into DKA due to a gastric illness.

On advice of GP took myself off to A&E.

Reception staff, often maligned were so very kind, helpful and efficient.

Went straight through to triage and then resus really quickly within 45 minutes of arriving.

Nursing in A&E was excellent - all you could hope for quick, kind, caring and efficient.

Quickly moved to AMU where the treatment again was very, very good.

All were working so hard and I received very good care.

The few issues were dealt with very, very quickly and well.

Moved to Endocrinology ward at 10pm.

First night I didn't get any sleep due to night staff having loud conversations, elderly confused patients having their TVs blaring loudly all night (Only turned off at 3am - to be turned back on at 5am), the main bright ward lights were turned off after midnight and the drugs round finished after 11pm too.

Next day moved to side room where it was still difficult to get sleep as night staff were still having loud conversations until after 11:30pm each night.

Day staff were much more considerate and it was actually quieter during the day than at night!

As a type 1 diabetic there is a level of apprehension coming into hospital - on this occasion my fears were unfounded as being on an endocrinology ward all staff had an excellent knowledge of diabetes and I was able to continue to manage and have a say in my own condition.

Would like to especially thank one nurse she is brilliant! and to the lovely ladies who brought the teas thank you.

Few negatives - the side room wasn't as clean as it could have been the floors were quite dirty and the sink in the room flooded.

Discharge still takes far to long and you just sit there feeling like a burden it wasn't very nice.

Thank you East Surrey Hospital.