"The care I recieved on the wards ..."

What I liked

The care I recieved on the wards pre & post (and I assume during) surgery. The willingness for my Consultant to involve me in decisions regarding my treatment, to keep me updated before and after the surgery. No, not everything was perfect, my treatment went wrong, but every effort was made to correct it. I liked the opportunity to give my feedback to Hospital Management in an informal evironment, both good and bad. I felt I was listened to and my opinions valued. That my poor experiences be used to try to prevent similar happening in the future and to build on the good.

What could be improved

I feel passionately that as a patient we know our bodies and how we feel. Where we have been given or gained information from other sources e.g. Internet or as in my case another Consultant that these are not dismissed. If the examining Doctor does not agree with the patient's perception then let them explain why. The hospital should encourage that the patient is an active member of the mangement of their treatment and it is not just administered to them. It may be routine to the Staff but new and daunting for the patient. We are all different and need to be guided through the processes, require different amounts of support, one size does not fit all. I believe that this needs to be acknowledged by Staff particularly in pre-admission and prior to the treatment as an in-patient. Staff need to be guarded in their comments about others where they can be overheard. A simple unguarded comment can raise the anxiety levels for patients.

Anything else?

Let me start by saying I am not connected with Medway Hospital other than a patient and a belief that it is a fantastic organisation but it can be better. Please encourage feedback, listen to your Patient's comments; report how you are using that information to improve provided services. I believe that meaningful communtication is the key to a successful relationship between the Hospital and it's users.