"I had two members of my family ..."

What I liked

I had two members of my family in Derriford concurrently. In both cases, the nurses were on the whole, excellent (some exceptions). But there is lack of communications between patients/ their family/doctors/nurses. We constantly had to chase round for blankets, missed meals, hygiene reasons. The hospital is one of the filthiest I have had the misfortune to experience. No wonder we have superbugs. I refuse to let any of my family be operated on here as the state of the wards are a breeding ground for bacteria. Is there no overall supervisor for cleaning?? I would love the opportunity to show health authorities the dirt there. The blankets on the heart (open heart surgery) wards were one per bed and full of holes. Patients left covered in blood and/or excrement (personal experience proves this) for hours. equipment on wards not working.Toasters, kettles, washing facilities, showers, toilets etc. Not a great environment for a sick person. Luckily I wont see my family suffer and chase things up, but some don't have this luxury.

What could be improved

clean the hospital thoroughly and maintain it. Employ people there who speak english. I am not being prejudiced, but practical. The cleaning is a doddle for pocket money for most cleaners there. Not all, i am sure.

Improve the food. Supply more blankets and basic necessities. Teach nurses and doctors etc, that these are people, not commodities, they feel and think and are scared, like their families. Maybe then, people like me will not choose to go many miles away for necessary surgery rather than to my local hospital, out of fear for my and my families health and recovery. Most of all, bring back the old fashioned matrons.