"I am an outpatient, and continue ..."

What I liked

I am an outpatient, and continue to be a patient of I.D. Department. In addition, my partner was an in-patient on that particular unit last year. My primary 'like' is the way in which Doctors and Nursing staff treat me as a person. The care we have both received is second to none. A bonus is the fact that all the doctors who I have seen have had the time to talk about the problems and explain the care in plain english. Their manner is unhurried and kept focussed. This is a stark contrast to the GP surgery where you have a 10 minute slot to take history, diagnose, and treat. The nursing staff on this unit are caring, considerate, professional and come with a brilliant sense of humour. I was diagnosed with a rare infection just before Christmas. The doctor decided to run bloods for this disease just on an off-chance from something I said in a friendly chat - they came back positive. How about that for intuitiveness. This condition would otherwise have slipped through the net, and may have resulted in my health deterioriating. Just wonderful, they really are.

What could be improved

Nothing whatsoever.

Anything else?

Absolutely, A final point has to be a sad one at the outlook of NGT (Newcastle General Tesco).

I understand that progress has to be new build hospitals and improved NHS efficiency. However, it is still a sad day to see such a wonderful hospital disappear from our doorstep. For our family, it has featured so much in our lives. I was born at NGH, my grandparents saw their final days within its walls, my father received life-saving neurosurgery, and I too have had my 'run-ins'. I know many of the staff are sad too. Newcastle General will certainly remain as cherished memories for so many people - both the fabric of the buildings and the doctors, nurses and everyone else within.