"The care given by the consultant ..."

What I liked

The care given by the consultant and team, and by the staff in Freshfield Ward, during my two admissions in February and April 2008 (the first as an emergency). Despite being very busy and seemingly overwhelmed with paperwork, most of the nursing and support staff were very cheerful and supportive; the consultant came to see me on weekend mornings during both stays on the ward.

The aftercare from the colorectal specialist nurses is excellent.

What could be improved

The choice of food for someone on a low residue diet after bowel surgery was very poor.

This busy surgical ward seemed understaffed for much of the time, and there were too many patients with significant psychogeriatric problems for the staff to cope with; it was very noisy at night and difficult to sleep

Arriving for my bowel cancer surgery to be told that the operation might have to be postponed because there was no bed in Freshfield ward, and then sitting in the admission ward for five hours until a bed was found, was extremely stressful for both myself and my wife.

There was never an empty bed in the ward for more than an hour or so; surely this is an infection risk? Cleaning was done regularly, but not particularly thoroughly, especially the shared toilets/bathrooms; there didn't seem to be enough toilets for 26 beds, particularly in the morning.

Waiting times in outpatients!