"Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and overnight stay"

Let me start by saying I am a band 7 Critical Care Nurse so my expectations are high... I came to Maidstone Hospital in March to have my Gallbladder out with day surgery, never having had an operation before and working in an environment where i see 'surgery gone wrong' I was very nervous, here are my experiences. Pre-Op: Checked in by a lovely nurse, arrived a bit early because of my transport arrangements but this was fine with them, waited about 2 hours and was seen by my Surgeon, lovely man, even though he knew I was a nurse explained things in nice simple terms that anyone could understand I felt I gave 100% informed consent for my procedure. Then seen by Anaesthetist, who needed help with a few medical terms (which I thought was a bit worrying) but everyone has to learn! After that into theatres. Theatres: Met by lovely nurse at the door, pro-op checks done, nerves smoothed by her professional and friendly manner, then it was into see the anaesthetist and go to sleep. He is my new hero, what a fabulous man, great bedside manner, professional but funny, felt immediately safe and at with my whole procedure, then it was an IV line, some opiate and off to sleep. Recovery: Recovered by great male nurse, all good then I went to the short stay surgical unit (kept in overnight as I had a drain) where I was met by (RN) and (CSW). Short Stay Surgical: Day shift - were awesome, great care, regular observations, prompt pain relief, water, food, you name it. Unit was spotlessly clean, felt safe and well looked after. Night Shift - Unfortunately night shift was another matter... I was peeing like a trooper (I'd made sure i was really well hydrated pre op!) and when my night nurse removed my bottle I asked for a few more to see me over the night - these never came. in the end I unhooked my drain and took myself off to the toilet a few times overnight. My Night nurse asked if I needed any painkillers, I said yes and these also never arrived - thankfully I had some in my bag so sorted myself out after waiting in pain for 2 hours. My night nurse also managed to do my observations overnight without doing my respirations (I know because I purposefully slowed them once to about 8 and sped them up another time to about 30) both of these findings should cause major concern in surgical patients. Thankfully.... Then the Day Shift arrived, back to awesome compassionate and professional care! So all in all, if it hadn't been for the night nurse I would have given maidstone 100%, but she was the link in the chain that not only didn't provide basic nursing care but missed physiological signs that could indicate sepsis, narcosis or bleeding :-(