"My husband was admitted Dec 18th ..."

What I liked

My husband was admitted Dec 18th 2007 with AML. A nurse stayed over her part-time duty hours to see him through the immediate treatment required to 'wash' his blood. Throughout the 5 months of treatment on the Bud Flanagan wards - sometimes for 3 weeks at a time receiving chemo, a stem cell transplant as well as day care visits in between time, he received the best care possible. All the nurses and doctors treated him with respect and dignity and were friendly and professional. The admin, cleaning and catering staff were all friendly and recognised us both, always with a smile. Unfortunately he lost his battle in May 2008, but this was in no way down to the treatment he received. I was and am devastated at losing my beloved husband but I was given all possible support, emotonally and physically. Nothing was too much for the staff.

The food did go down hill in February - I believe there was a change in logistics - but we pointed this out and the chef came and spoke with us about the problems we had raised.

As with all NHS hospitals there will be a shortage of funding to provide everything that could be needed, but we did not have any problems.

The treatment was explained fully and although we thought everything was successful and we had a future, the AML crossed the blood/spinal barrier.

The nurses went out of their way to find a single room for his last few days allowing me to be with him all the time. This was so important to me especially as he died in the early hours of the morning.

I can only praise all the staff in Sutton, who must find their work so difficult at times - especially when they know they will lose a patient.

The 12 hour shifts are hard for the nurses, but it does provide a continuity of care - no-one can expect the same nurse 24/7 , but work rotas were organised to allocate a small number of nurses. It wouldn't be right to have only 1 or 2 nurses - what a responsibility!

I would like to thank everyone at Sutton.

What could be improved

Food for the patients - ensure it is hot.