"Highly beneficial"

What I liked

I was recently discharged from Wansbeck Hospital following foot surgery undertaken at Hexham General Hospital.

Having had a failed bunionectomy on the same foot at Dryburn Hospital in Durham in 1999, my hopes of reducing the discomfort that I have suffered since then were fairly low. So when the Consultant told me that the condition was treatable I was hopeful, but not entirely persuaded that the outcome would be good.

I need not have worried. My treatment from the start, by all members of staff that I encountered was exemplary. The stages of my treatment were explained clearly and I was given guidelines about the pain level I would experience and the aftercare needed. It was an added bonus that I was able to have the operation with a local anaesthetic and did not have to spend a night in hospital.

I would be most grateful if you would convey my sincere thanks to the Consultant and his team. The operation caused me very little pain and minor discomfort. Six months on I am now able to walk in without the aching feet that I used to accept as the norm.

At a time when the National Health Service endures such scrutiny and, I feel, unnecessarily harsh criticism, it should be noted that I found both hospitals to be spotlessly clean and all staff caring and efficient.

Thank you for taking the time to read my comments.

What could be improved

Nothing

Anything else?

Please see above