"Appendicectomy - smooth and efficient"

Anything else?

I recently attended the A+E department with pain suggestive of appendicitis. I expected to have some bloods taken and get a pat on the head and be sent on my way (likely to become a crazy woman who attends repeatedly for "phantom" pains!), however I was seen very quickly by the A+E staff. The registrar organised a scan of my tummy within 2 hours and I was told I did have appendicitis.

I returned to A+E and was seen by 3 surgical doctors of varying ranks. They were all very polite and professional, explaining my options regarding surgery and treatment. They took my opinion on board and I opted for surgery that day, despite the fact that I was not overtly sick with my appendix, as it had not progressed that far yet.

I was transferred to Hatton ward where the staff were lovely - again very professional but kind. I was taken to theatre that afternoon (an impressive turnaround time!) and was back on the ward sans appendix by 8pm.

Although I was kept awake a bit at night by an elderly lady with dementia in the next bed shouting out, the staff never lost their patience with her and tried their best to keep her calm and comfortable.

I left the next day - more because I knew I would not be able to sleep as well the following night without having had an anaesthetic given the elderly lady was likely to shout out again. I was in no way pressured to leave, despite the fact that the hospital was in crisis with beds (as is common over winter).

One gripe I do have is that the food is not great quality and I feel that as a young person I have good reserves to call on in times of need such as this, however the lonely old folks who rely on the hospital food as their main source of nutrition - if they don't have visitors to supply goodies - receive food that has had the nutrition cooked out of it. I understand hospitals have a tight budget, but it is important that the nutrients of a "well-balanced" meal remain in the food rather than being boiled out of it.

My stay at Warwick hospital was otherwise excellent. Please pass on my thanks to all staff involved in my care - on Hatton ward, A+E and in theatres.