"Foot surgery. I wish I was a private patient!"

I was very impressed initially with my treatment. I needed a foot reconstruction and was very pleased to be referred to a consultant at this hospital. I was quite concerned when two days later I suffered a heavy bleed from my bandaged foot and rang clinic care for advice. I was asked whether I was a NHS patient as one of the first questions. I was and on saying so felt there was a different and far less interested person at the end of the phone. I wasn't asked my name so no notes could have been checked and no question to my consultant. I was told to raise my foot. No reassuring words given and generally I was left wondering if I needed to go somewhere else. My foot eventually did stop bleeding but obviously there was no follow up. The consultant was good and I would recommend. However........ I am convinced a private patient would have been given reassurance, would have been seen and would have been treated with dignity. I was left worrying, my bandage was bloody and I knew had to stay in place for several weeks. Recommend this hospital if you can pay.