"I had my first baby here. The ..."

What I liked

I had my first baby here. The birth was complicated and the medical and midwifery staff were excellent both on the labour ward and in developing breast feeding afterwards. Communication skills were fantastic overall and extreemly supportive.

What could be improved

The ward was really dirty as were the bathrooms. Bed linen was not changed without request during 3 day stay and my dinner tray was put on the bin in my room daily. I developed MRSA in a perineal wound which is rare on labour wards. This was not looked at until I asked on discharge, despite being part of the daily care plan and by this point was badly infected which I have had to deal with at home with a fantastic community midwife. The food was terrible and tiny portions for breast feeding mothers, and the tea trolley was removed during visitoring hours!

Anything else?

I think that the cleanliness and lack of handwashing etc is down to a lack of staff. The staff are very caring but overrun by the service demands.