"Treatment excellent but follow up pre discharge..."

What could be improved

As a day case patient, as I have been in the past, the whole experience is like being on a conveyor belt. My last treatment meant I had to stay overnight which was fine, but like day case patients, no-one from the surgical team comes to see you post procedure prior to discharge to advise you of what was actually done. The discharge letter is not always that forthcoming either and I will have to wait for my three month post op appointment to find out exactly what was done etc.

Anything else?

Having seen a Consultant at an outpatient appointment and then to be told surgery is required, I found it very disconcerting that I never saw the consultant again.

Even on the day of admission I was seen by the consultants clinical fellow prior to surgery, who incidentally seemed to find it taxing to go through my notes and discuss my concerns. The consultant was in theatre, I know this because I could hear his voice as I was being prepped in the Anaesthetic Room, not once did the consultant make themselves known.

Following surgery I was sent back to the ward and discharged the following morning without being given any feedback about what happened during my procedure. I was not seen again prior to discharge by anyone from the consultants team. Even the nurses on the admission ward stated that the consultant never visits the ward.

Surely, for optimal patient confidence, the consultant should meet with patients on the day to consent them and discuss any worries they may have. Afterall, they are the person who is going to be doing the surgery.