"Disappointing conveyer belt."

What I liked

Elmstead day unit. Nursing staff friendly and efficient. Same sex unit appreciated.

What could be improved

Efficient but unfriendly welcome at reception.

I was nervously anticipating procedure. Left waiting 50 minutes to be taken to ward. Was requested to bring relative/friend to escort home following procedure, but my friend was told to go to a waiting room, not permitted to join me at anytime on the ward. So she was left worrying for 3 hours I sat waiting on my own on ward another hour prior to exploratory procedure. Would have liked to have company on ward prior to procedure and on return to ward. Appalling support following treatment and sedation, still sedated and was given tea and toast and asked to get dressed and leave, no time permitted to recover. Would have liked the surgeon/staff to have sat and spoke to me and my friend discussing their findings. Was told by a nurse to return to my gp to discuss test results. I left feeling confused and concerned whether any medical problems found or not. Not a good experience at all. Felt like on a conveyer belt, very busy unit, rushed out regardless of whether i was well enough to leave. I was dizzy and vomiting all the way home.

Anything else?

Awful experience. Have experienced this procedure in a differant hospital previously at a daycare unit and treatment couldnt have been more differant. Disappointing Colchester Elmstead unit.