"An excellent hospital providing exceptional care"

Anything else?

Following a nasty fall I was transported to the hospital by two kind and sympathetic NWAMS staff, assessed and seen immediately in A and E.

Within twenty minutes of arrival my leg was x rayed, cast and re x rayed and the doctor was calm and courteous and very reassuring.

I moved briefly to a holding area then was admitted to Ward 10.

I was seen by the orthopaedic medical staff and the care that I received despite my inglorious and undignified position was simply exceptional.

I was treated by the clinical and non clinical staff with dignity and respect consistently, the staff nurses and HCAs were discreet and helpful.

The ward was spotlessly clean with frequent floor washes, bedding changes, table wipes etc. and the staff organising the meal services went out of their way to try to help, finding foods easily managed and appealing.

The physiotherapists and pharmacy teams were professional and friendly, introducing themselves and explain their role as did the advanced nurse practitioner.

The team attended regularly and explained why I needed surgery, when it would happen and any delays and actively encouraged a two way discussion. The Consultant who undertook the surgery has been patient and explained every step before and after the surgery and again in clinic.

Theatre staff, porters, anaesthetists and recovery nurses also maintained this exceptional level of care and information.

The care shown was apparent with a diverse range of patient ages and conditions and the ignored elderly so frequently reported in the press were certainly not in evidence. The nurses made automatic gestures such as replacing tables to their original position after obs. This might seem likes small thing but it's the difference between reaching your drink or not. Elderly patients were addressed with manners and sympathy rather than a casual courtesy; again, a small thing that means a lot.