"pleasantly surprised and irritated by lack of..."

Anything else?

I attended the hospital for a first appointment at 1740in the evening. I chose to walk from from Eccles New Road, along Stott Lane. I could have used the map supplied to help me get in, however I used to live very close to the hospital and did some Nursing Training there so I thought I knew my way in, it was also very dark! Walking up Stott Lane it was too dark to read the map, I could not see any signs and the whole area around the old out patients entrance was so badly lit that I tripped off the kerb whilst trying to find a way in. Staggering through the perpetual gloom that surrounded the hospital I eventually discovered a scrap of paper neatly stuffed into a plastic wallet directing my wife and I to A and e main entrence (as written), was the next sign to be "'ere be dragoons"? We walked on towards what looked like A&E, the ambulance was a giveaway, we looked in at an empty waiting area, staffed, but they couldn't have helped us, they looked bewildered by the empty seats. The doors slid open enticing us in, but to where, would we be helped or sent out with a sneer as they knew where they were and were warm and safe. We then spotted a sign, unfortunately it didn't give our destination but I'm sure that it was helpful as we finally crossed the threshold. We didn't kiss the ground but went straight to the nearest sign, our destination wasn't listed. Then, before us was an apparition in hospital uniform, sitting under a sign, INFORMATION, now I could have kissed the ground, however it is not recommended. I asked the gentleman to direct us, whilst I couldn't commend his style or attitude (it's on the sign over there), he did tell us where to go; by the time we arrived at, what appearsvto be some left over airport check in desks, we were just two minutes early. It was after dealing with or being dealt with that my experience of the hospital improved. Please get some more signs and improve the lighting outside on Stott Lane up especially for patients with evening appointments. My treatment by the staff now became exemplary, never have I/we been so well supported, we were directed to the wrong waiting area, both next to each other, a nurse, firstly said it's over there and then said that she'd take us to the right place and make sure that someone knew we'd arrived. The consultant came out and took my wife and I into her room. When she examined me, as I had to remove my trousers she went to get a gown to cover my modesty. I have been examined by many doctors over the last 10 years and I am quite happy to remove my trousers and sit there in mu underwear. She said it wasn't right that I should do that and insisted that I have the gown for my modesty. I was also asked if I wanted copy letters, again most consultants I've met don't like to send correspondence let alone offer it. The consultant even took me to the blood room. Thanks to the people who redeemed my experience, even so we still walked halfway round the hospital.