"Day surgery now seems to be quarter-day surgery"

I attended the hospital for day surgery in August 2012.

I was having a bone anchored hearing aid fitted. I had one fitted on the other side approx 6 years ago in the same hospital so I thought I knew what to expect.

The actual surgery went ok though I thought it seemed louder than previously (Your skull is drilled into behind your ear to implant the hearing unit.) Afterwards I was returned to the ward to recover, at about 12 to 12.30 midday.

The first difference was you had to lie on the operating trolley not a bed. Operating trolleys are very hard and narrow and very uncomfortable if you have chronic back problems as I do.

I was feeling quite dizzy and had intense tinnitus in both ears, which I always have but was exacerbated by the drill . I was immediately told to sit up and drink some tea and eat 1 slice of toast. I didn't want to as I knew it would cause nausea but the nurse insisted. So I did as I was told.

Then at 1:30pm, i.e. 1 hour later, as I was lying flat waiting for the nausea and tinnitus to subside, I was told in no uncertain terms to get up dress and be discharged.

I was totally taken aback as I was feeling ill and previously had rested for several hours at least to recover before leaving. However I was given no choice. I had to dress and phone for a taxi to be picked up as my lift was not able to come until 4 pm.

I was very upset by this as I was alone with no one to support me. I thought the care was very poor. I did complain on the following Monday morning. It seems "day" surgery is now 1/4 day surgery and has deteriorated in the last 6 years.