"Peter smith day surgery"

Hello, we’ve tried to answer your comments as best we can. If we haven’t answered any of your questions fully please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 953 0667 or pals@ghnt.nhs.uk Why couldn’t I take my partner with me? In the past we have kept the numbers of relatives/carers in the department to a minimum as it is a busy unit with a limited amount of space. Also due to the close proximity of patients it was thought that it may have an impact, other patient’s privacy and dignity, and also their confidentiality which we always want to respect. We do allow relatives/carers into the department on an individual basis for example if a patient has learning disabilities, any mental health issues, needs additional assistance, or has children. This is not an exhaustive list as other issues are taken into consideration. However, we have had other similar feedback to yours from patients and we now assess each patient individually and have this discussion with them. In some cases patients go to theatres very quickly after they arrive in the PODS and we find there is little time for the relatives/loved ones to stay on the unit, and we would always explain this to the patient and their carer/relative/loved one. Why is there’s no TV We do have a radio at the nurses’ station but sometimes we are asked for it to be switched off as some patients like the peace and quiet, we don’t have a lounge for a TV in the surgical admission suite. 'I was taken to have wires put in had to trek about the hospital half dressed in a gown with jeans' Thank you for your comment we have liaised with the X-ray department and the y have agreed that they are happy for us to send patients in their own clothes – we will provide the gown for the procedure. 'The unit is lacking some comfort to people who are facing difficult times.' We appreciate that it is a stressful difficult time coming in hospital. In PODS we endeavour to provide everything our patient need for their stay – sometimes patients need a bed but often pre-operatively patients may often prefer the comfort of a chair. We also offer warm blankets and check our patients on a regular basis to ensure their wellness and comfort. Please do contact us though if you have any specific ideas about how the patient journey could be improved. We’re always looking to listen to and act on patient feedback like yours.