"l have spent time in agh a lot ..."

What I liked

l have spent time in agh a lot over the last 30yrs, and found the level of service and attitude from staff has improved in recent years. The hospital is clean, comfortable and pleasant, the staff are generally approachable, helpful, and kind when dealing with patients, not as officious and intimidating as they were in the past.

l find the low score on pain control interesting, as l also was left in severe pain for long periods of time, on one occassion through the night, till the Dr came on duty.

Also when in severe pain and very ill in hopsital for a week of tests, was discharged with no diagnosis, simply because l was in the wrong ward, as confirmed by the specialsist, yet not transferred to the right consultant and dept. Meaning l had to continue to live with same symptoms for a long time, eventually referred to the type of consultant who made the diagnosis easily.

The negatives were a number of years ago, l hope the times of discharging patients without diagnosis and treatment, due to its not their speciality have gone.

The increased and open visiting times are an improvement, as is being able to leave the ward and go for a walk when able to.

What could be improved

l think all patients should have a single patient room following major surgery. Not be in a noisy ward of recovering well patients and their vistors, whilst in severe pain and trying to sleep, any patient in distress needs and should have some privacy and dignity. l was in a leeds hospital when a patient died, not suddenly, it was expected, whilst in a ward of 10 patients and their visitors, children amongst them, not even curtians around them, unacceptable.

l think agh do now try to achieve privacy for seriously ill patients. l believe patients should be informed of any new drugs that could improve thier condition and extend their life, and how to appeal to the trust and n.i.c.e for a trial course of such drugs.