"overall really great"

Having attended the outpatients department at the General for just over 2 years now I have generally felt positive about the experiences that I have had there. The reception staff are always helpful, cheery and efficient whilst still taking time to deal with every patient as an individual. My communication with my consultant could have been better at times - particularly at the stage of my initial diagnosis but this situation probably wasn't helped by the fact that I was anxious to know results and to have a definite decision where one couldn't be made. A second opinion at this stage provided confidence in what they were doing - but I would like to add that I would probably have done this wherever I had been treated. I have seen registrars in the department twice - once as an emergency appointment and once when the consultant has been on holiday - and two of the MS nurses. On every occasion and by every member of staff I have been treated with the upmost respect and my concerns and choices listened to - even when these have been contrary to initial advice. All the staff at the hospital are busy with many patients to treat but I have never felt rushed and time has always been taken to explain test results and treatment options. In this regard a special mention must go to the MS nurse who on one occasion spent almost 2 hours talking me through treatment options - I believe I was already an extra appointment for them on that day and they still made time for me. All in all a positive experience and I would like thank the whole department for taking such good care of me so far! - long may it continue!