"Hernia Repair Op"

Anything else?

I recently had a hernia repair @ JPH.

Although the waiting list management process was handled very badly (I waited 10 months and had to complain before I got anywhere), the quality of clinical support before, during and after the operation could not have been better.

There were no significant delays at either the pre-op clinic or on the day of surgery itself. I was in at 12.00 and out by 20.00.

All the staff were pleasant, efficient and made the whole process as comfortable as possible. Having never been in hospital before, I was apprehensive about what was going to happen... but, at all times, the staff took time to explain what would happen next, and explain what I would feel like and how they would help manage my pain, etc.

Being a large General Hospital, there is clearly an element of 'conveyor belt' management to the surgical process; but the handover to different teams of specialists was managed efficiently, and at no time did I feel lost or unsure of what would happen next. The only sad thing about this was not being able to go back at the end of the day to say thank-you to all those that had helped me.

One particular person stood out. This was the nurse(?) that led me down to theatre, and stayed with me in the anaesthetic room prior to the drugs being administered. She could tell I was nervous... and she was happy to chat away about nothing in particular while we waited for the next stage. As the anaesthetist prepared to inject the drugs, she just held onto my hand. I don't mean to sound all soppy, but that was the nicest thing anyone could have done at that particular moment - and I hope she could tell I was grateful.

I never saw her again, but I hope she had a good holiday!

Well done James Paget.