"What a difference good staff and hospital make"

I had a total hip replacement on the 19th November 2015.

I did request the operation to take place at Pinderfields as nearest to where I live. However, I was advised that only "problematic" hip operations were performed there.

The pre-op information and seminar were excellent, giving all the information required about the operation, physio and aftercare.

Due to having a previous back operation it looked like I would have to have a general anaesthetic due to scare tissue. The anaesthetist was excellent, they managed to give me the spinal block by injecting into my spine which was painless. The pre spray was very cold but not a problem.

Being awake throughout the operation seems a bit weird but not undaugnting. I had my iPhone with music through earphones, so most noise is muffled.

You do get pulled around a little and there is hammering but no pain was felt.

When the operation is over, around 1hour 15 minutes, you go to recovery for around 30 minutes. The advantage of the spinal block is that you are fully conscious and numb from the waist down. Therefore you are back on the ward quickly.

You are allowed to use your mobile phone on the ward so I called my wife immediately I was back. She was surprised how well I sounded.

All the staff were brilliant. Very professional and patient. Nothing was too much trouble.

Food was good, but as I was discharged two days after the operation, did not have many meals.

The ward is quiet and very relaxing.

The only thing that is a negative is that the staff do not get paid enough for the type of work they do.

I would definitely recommend this hospital for a hip operation.