"Couldn't fault it except..."

Anything else?

I had spinal surgery in September 2012 and was admitted to the hospital for 11 days.

I found the hospital clean with the exception of a single room I was put in later during my stay which had a really filthy floor covered with hairs (you could see them blowing around whenever there was a light breeze). This room was cleaned the following day though.

Another minor negative was that you couldn't open windows anywhere. I spent almost all of my stay with a towel around my neck to soak up the sweat that was literally pouring out of me the whole time.

Other than those minor gripes I couldn't fault it.

The staff were generally a fun and enthusiastic bunch of people whom I hold the upmost regard for. Also by staff I mean the cleaners and those who brought my meals round.

My consultant who I won't name treated me very respectfully and professionally and after a very long surgery he was there when I woke up to see how I was and if my op had been successful (which it had). An excellent guy, I put my trust with these people at 110% at no time was I concerned about them.

Now to my gripe about this hospital. Correspondence - multiple times they never sent out appointment letters and I spent my time chasing them up. I waited 3 months for my initial appointment with the hospital, my GP sent 3 follow up letters expedited to them and still they didn't respond. In the end I had to start calling daily and I eventually got seen.

Even now almost a year after that time, I'm in the same situation. No one even bothers to answer the neurology dept phone, it takes you straight to an answering machine. I left a message and waited for a response (which the message promised would come within 48 hours). I waited a week and had to call back the main reception.

Sadly the hospital scores a zero from me for their correspondence and communication to patients. Other than that - great hospital and staff.