"My recent stay"

The medical staff and treatment, when I got it, was very good. The surgeon and nurses were excellent, but they and the patients are badly let down by the inefficient administration and organisation, dreadful food and elderly patients with serious dementia being nursed in the same ward. It was impossible to get any sleep because of two such patients who were very noisy and disruptive all night. Also it is impossible to block out the central overhead light even by drawing the curtains round the bed as it shines brightly over the top. When I did manage to doze off at 4am I was awoken at 4.20 am to have my blood pressure taken! The food is Inedible, a disgrace. I had a 8 month wait for my operation. I was later given a pre-assessment which I was told was valid for3months but no date for the operation. As the expiry time approached I rang and was given a date slightly over the date. If I had not called I can only assume the pre-assessment would have had to be redone, wasting more money. I was sent a letter giving details of where to report etc for the op. On the day At 7 am I went to the ward given in the letter who did not have me on their list and knew nothing about me. I was sent to the Admissions on the Day unit who had me on their list but could not find my notes. Some two hours later, having missed my operating slot, my notes were found on a female ward where a bed had been reserved for me - I am male. I was then slotted in for the op and spent some hours in recovery until a male bed became available. During this time when my wife rang about 2pm no-one could tell her where or how I was. Eventually she came in person to find me. There is more in a similar vein particularly regarding follow-up appointments but all this tells you the state of the administration and management. Finally, why can't they sort out the parking facilities? We accept paying, but you have to pre-pay with cash, no change given. Often you arrive with no small change, none is available. Other nearby hospitals have a ticket system on entry and payment machines on exit which take notes. It isn't rocket science and all adds to the stress. We try to go by public transport but this isn't always possible. I repeat that the medical treatment was fine when I finally got it, but the whole hospital admin and catering needs a complete overhaul. If the public can work this out, and I was told the same by fellow patients, why can't the management?