"What i have to say is, my hospital ..."

What I liked

What i have to say is, my hospital file reads like a horror story, over i suppose thse last ten years i've been in and out of derriford for many different operations, from you name it, Kidney stones, until a bad one way back in the nineties, then back operation for a deceased disc, right up until April 2005, diagnosed with cancer of the right kidney, had it removed by keyhole surgery. I am still in remission for five years on this one, but now the dreaded cancer has returned, i.e bowel cancer,was given a choice of having the operation or radium and chemo, did take that way but after a week it was obvious that it was not going work, violently sick so twice admitted to hospital, i.e first the acute medical ward, then on to bracken, went home after two days but the sickness started again so very quickly readmitted again this time onto brent ward, now here i must say the attention and care was beyond admiration, nothing was to much for anyone of the staff, from consultants, doctors, junior doctors, and all of the nursing staff, press the button and someone was there with you, also many thanks to the macmillan nurses, i could go on all night with some names if i could remember them all, i'm now at home getting my self fit for an operation in November to remove the cancer.

Now my reason for writing this mail is just to say over the years i've been in and out of derriford not once have i ever had to complain about the care and attention i've received, even down to the high dependency unit where the care is absolutely superb.

If anyone would like to complain i'll give you a horror story, last November my wife, daughter and two grandchildren went on a holiday to Alicante Spain, the third day there i fell an broke the top of my left arm in three places, had to go to the local hospital, distance from about plymouth to torquay, now i would like to say the place was absolutely filthy, so anyone who has a gripe about derriford i suggest you go out there.

What could be improved

One big thing that could be improved, more staff at night, they are sometimes worked off their feet, oh and only one other thing, on the acute medical ward during the last night hot drink they have biscuits which can be given to the patients, but having been on bracken and brent they have nothing, so come on you keepers of the dosh do give them some change for a few wee biscuits.