"Hip Replacement & subsequent stay on Huntsman 4"

Anything else?

The care was excellent as follows: On the morning of surgery, the staff explained what would happen. My op site was marked, the consultant anaesthatist confirmed procedures with me and the theatre staff communicated well and were kind when I was being prepared for surgery and was scared having the spinal. When I awoke, obs were taken and I was quickly transferred to the ward. On the ward, staff were professional, kind, responsive to patients' needs, supportive, respected patients dignity and were all consistently fabulous with an elderly, frail women who was in the bed opposite to me. Buzzers were generally answered very quickly, even though the staff were evidently very busy a lot of the time, judging by the sounds of buzzers from other bays. When the elderly patient mentioned above hadn't buzzed (because she said she didn't want to be a nuisance), the staff told her she must buzz them when she was wet, even in the middle of the night. They told her hat she wasn't a nuisance, that it was their job to help her to the lavatory etc. Drugs rounds & lights out happened reguarly & on time. Most patients did not know the difference between HCSWs and Nurses. The HCSWs were evidently well trained and demonstred great communication skills, and the nurses helped them out when required. It was great teamwork (and proud values) in action. NHSP staff were also very good. The domestics were cheerful and cleaned the ward thoroughly every day. It was swept, mopped and damp dusted and the lavatory was kept clean despite some patients' accidents. On request, they even serenaded the men on one of the bays one morning (The Carpenters), and very good it was too. The catering assistants were efficient and remembered patients tea /coffee/milk/sugar preferences. They gave as much or as little food as we wanted and checked if people had had enough to eat before clearing away. The porters & electrician were cheerful and friendly. Doctors generally communicated well and explained what they had done, further tests required and why etc. Even better if I had got more information at the outset e.g. The processes of the waiting list, pre-op assessment, consenting, getting an elective date, what happens on the morning of the surgery etc. To get an overview of the whole process, what happens and who I would see at each stage, likely timescales between each, if I needed to buy any aids and/or if they would be provided or not would have significantly reduced stress. Information that I didn't think to ask for e.g. it may take a couple of hours longer for the operated leg to get feeling back and the result of post operative X ray. Physio, likely timescales of how long on crutches, one crutch, stick, how far to walk and when etc. Suggest order & timescales of weaning off the drugs. My new hip is wider (feminine by about 2 cm. I'd have preferred the implant to match my natural narrow hip. I hope I won't get a knee injury or walk lopsided as a result. Thanks