"I and my family have had dealings ..."

What I liked

I and my family have had dealings with PAH (and St Margaret's Hospital) for many years and have never felt cause for concern. Last year I developed an inguinal hernia and was also suffering long term pain though arthritis in my left knee. I saw my Doctor in Nov08, was given computer print-out referrals and withing a matter of weeks had appointments to see Hospital Connsultations. I had my hernia operation as a Day Patient at the end of Jan09 and was released later that day after I fulfilled the medical criteria ( you have to be able to pass water etc). My knee replacement took place in early Apr09 (I had to wait between operations to avoid infection). I was admitted at 4pm on the Monday, the operation took place the following morning, I was up and about that same evening (and watched the ManU v Porto match) and after giving a sample of blood and an x-ray, on the Thursday whilst my wife was visiting, I was asked by one of the Surgeons if I wished to go home (I had fulfilled all medical and physio criteria). As I was feeling well and in no significant pain or discomfort I was discharged that evening. I have to wear "DVT" stockings for 6 weeks and have a strict physio exercise programme to follow. I had my staples (all 27) removed at my local Surgery last Tuesday and feel that I am well on the road to recovery; I hope to be back on the Golf course in the not too distant future. The whole experience from the briefings and sample taking in in the Pre-Assessment Centre through to the admissions, both in the Day Care Centre and Tye Green Ward, was thoughtful and efficient. The care by the Operating staff, by the Nursing staff and by the Physio team made my stay as enjoyable as possible and I would not have wished for better treatment. From what I experienced, that was the NHS at its best.

What could be improved

Car parking is a problem at the Hospital but I suppose where is it not when land is at a premium.

Anything else?

I was interested in the Hospital design/set-up. From going through admissions, to the way the operating theatres are set out, to the recovery ward and to the general wards, all seem to me to be well designed and give an aura of efficiency. Also the cleanliness of the areas I visited and the efforts by staff to avoid infection was all very obvious.