"Day Case Hernia Repair"

The surgical and theatre teams were very professional and reassuring and my operation was completed quickly and without fuss. Consultant and their team were friendly and more than willing to discuss concerns. The care I received from staff in the recovery area (where I had to spend several hours due to 'issues' on the Day Care Ward) was also excellent. My thanks to all involved. Although I had been advised all along that I would need a general anaesthetic, I was told on the day my procedure could be completed with a spinal instead. As it was, although the anaesthetist was helpful and willing to discuss options, I felt a little rushed into the decision and it was very clearly the preferred option of the staff, making it difficult to decline. However, the benefits were explained clearly, particularly in my case - I have sleep apnoea so with a general would certainly have been admitted to the HDU and probably kept overnight - the spinal avoided this which was great, but some information earlier in the process would have been nice. Onto the Day Care unit itself. The majority (but not all) of the staff were friendly, although clearly very busy especially in the earlier part of the day. The area is reasonably clean and tidy but is large, bustling and I would imagine could be overwhelming for someone nervous of being there. Only patients are allowed in the area so there is no facility for someone to stay with you - once you 'check in' you are on your own which I didn't particularly like. Although I was rather lucky in that I only had to wait for an hour or two for my procedure, be prepared to spend a long time here - it could be most of the day before you go to theatre. Personally I feel there should be a better scheduling system so people are not left for hours on end in a nil by mouth situation. My notes seemed to be mislaid several times during the day, and I overheard staff having similar issues with other patients files. Perhaps the relevant paperwork could be kept on the patients bed frames so they are together wherever they go...? I also noticed when I got home that some of my discharge paperwork had someone else's personal details on it (so I assume the other person had mine...) which was quite disappointing. So, overall the surgery was fine but the DCU could perhaps do with a little streamlining.