"Overall excellent care but lacking facilities"

Anything else?

I had a caesarean cection recently at Kettering General Hospital and the care and treatment I received was very good however it fell somewhat short on Rowan Ward. My caesarean section was planned for a later date but nature had brought it forward as my waters had broken. I mostly recieved excellent care and this started from my my pre- operative assessment appointment right through to the care I recieved from the staff at the operating theatre and to most of the midwives. The surgeon and his team did a fantastic job and my husband and I were very impressed. My scar is healing very nicely. The staff were all very professional and caring except for the rude unfriendly cold patronising behaviour of some of the maternity care assistants. It was unexpected and certainly unneccessary. The doctors were friendly and helpful. I was upset and annoyed my family couldn't visit even if they had travelled 8 hours by car and I was told they would have to wait till 6pm. It's ridiculous, other hospitals around the country don't treat your immediate family in this abhorrent manner! The birthing support partners of many of the other patients made more noise than most of visitors put together and your other children are considered a noisy nusiance. KGH lacks many amenities, such as no pay per view televisions and telephones at your bedside as it's a very old run down hospital. Lying in bed trying to sleep is impossible with other women snoring loudly; it was not a great way to relax and bond with my baby either. The curtains do little to block out the noise from the person adjacent to your bed. Shower/washing facilities were lacking. No hairdryer provided. The ward was either too hot or too cold and it was a nusiance. Breakfast consisted of toast or cereal. If you got there late the toast was all gone or cold. Lunch was served at 12:30pm-12:45pm.There was no food provided after 4:30pm, and what you were offered was undelectable to say the very least. The food was of a very low standard and hardly nutrious and the menu uninspiring and limited choices. I would recommend patients request their family to bring in meals and snacks/ drinks etc. Car parking facilities are good, very cheap at around £7 for a full days parking! The hospital is clearly signposted and easy to find and access. Overall excellent care which was let down by the attitude of certain staff on Rowan Ward.