"I think my wife received absolutely top-grade..."

What I liked

I am writing this on behalf of my wife, who was admitted as an emergency patient with a sub-arachnoid brain haemorrhage on 30 September 2011. She was conscious at this stage and able to discuss her condition with the surgical team who explained that they needed to operate in order to repair a life-threatening leaking aneurysm in an artery in her brain. This procedure was carried out successfully the following morning - a Saturday - but due to subsequent vasal spasms she then suffered a stroke and was admitted into the High Dependency Unit where she spent the next week until she was fit enough to be transferred to the Victor Horsley Ward. She stayed there until 28 October when she was moved to the Royal Free for further treatment, and after that to St Ann's for her final rehabilitation.

During her month in the NHNN she slept a great deal, had very little control over her bodily functions and hardly spoke at all. But as I spent most of the day there every day I was in a good position to observe her progress and treatment. I have always been a strong supporter of our NHS and what I saw and experienced while my wife was in your care greatly reinforced my admiration for it. At all times, and at all levels, your staff were proficient, caring, friendly and accessible. I can't believe my wife could have received better treatment anywhere else. Your surgical team's rapid intervention probably saved her life - I'm sure it did - and what you all did for her during those early, difficult weeks set her on the path to complete recovery. And we are both deeply grateful for it.

One - smaller - point: the food in the Spice of Life is excellent and kept me well fed for the whole of October.