"Day surgery - trauma and orthopaedics"

My son had surgery in the Arthur South Day Procedure Unit on a broken finger and the treatment was fantastic.

At 13 years old, he is at a tricky age - not a little boy but not quite a man. He was obviously scared but wanted to be the big man about it. The staff got the treatment spot on. Despite being officially classed as a child, they didn't treat him as one. But at the same time they were wary that there was a frightened little boy in there. Being put in a side room was a great idea. No ward full of small children or geriatrics to contend with.

As a child, my son was put to the top of the theatre list so there wasn't too much time for him (or us parents) to worry. We were reassured by the staff a lot while son was in surgery.

The only room for improvement would be the checkin in process. A lot of people were asked to arrive at 7am and it was nearly 7. 30am by the time we were checked in. Perhaps the times could be staggered? There were people in front of us who were not having their surgery until nearly lunchtime and my son was in theatre at 8. 30am.

Overall a very positive experience. The whole process was quick and relatively painless (in all senses of the word). We were back home at 11am!

Thank you to all staff on the unit and Miss Edwards' Trauma and Orthopaedic team.