"My prostate operation and kidney trouble"

I was admitted into Medway on 5 April and stayed for one week- via AE, then surgical admissions and Phoenix ward. After complications from a benign prostate, I had renal failure. Then, on Saturday 18 May, I had a prostate operation ( TURP ) and was subsequently admitted into Phoenix surgical ward for after care. For my first stay, I was in a lot of pain yet this was managed in a timely, friendly and efficient way- and I would like to express my full gratititude to Clinical Sister Neringa Maciuliene of Phoenix ward who manages her team very well. Staff Nurse Lynsey White was attentive, sympathetic as well as being so constantly busy. The Urology team and Mr Massood explained everything to me clearly and personally followed up my care with ward visits. I spoke with others on Phoenix and there were men from Gravesend and Sevenoaks as in patients- so the catchment area would seem to be half of Kent. In this context, praise must go to this ward, the urology team and the hospital. On my second ward visit, I recognised many faces of porters, domestic staff etc- so staff attendance generally must be high, reflecting good commitment and motivation.

We know that Medway Maritime is in Special Measures--- I just hope that incoming mangers look to the demographic of Medway; there is a military link, there is a high working-class element, people lead stressful lives commuting to London- in other words, people coming into the hospital have led hard lives which place high demands on the system... and if Medway is treating people living thirty or miles away, some thought needs to be given to this.

Over the years, I cannot recall horror stories of patients being abandoned on trolleys at Medway Maritime--- The Hospital Plan recognises " high loyalty " among the local population and the staff------

I just hope that the Special Measures team look to core values- and I'm sure they'll find a lot of dedicated people. I hope they do consider people coming into the hospital- we are not a pampered community by any means- life has taken a toll on our minds and bodies in Medway--and finally, Medway, compared with hospitals in the north of England- had to wait a long time before the hospital was upgraded- not as long as Pembury- but it did have to wait.

I was delighted with my patient experience at Medway Maritime.