"I was in for a biopsy. I was ..."

What I liked

I was in for a biopsy. I was very nervous. The staff were friendly, helpful and did all they could to put me at ease. I wasn't left too long on my own without someone popping their head around the curtain to see if I was alright. It was a very busy morning for them with lots of day patients, but they found time for a smile and kind word. My surgeon and aneathetist even found time to have a joke (which they found funnier than I did) When I was taken back to the ward, the staff made sure I was comfortable and spent time with me explaining anything I wanted to know. Excellent! Oh, and the radio was a great comfort. Made it less 'clinical'

What could be improved

They were very understaffed for the amount of patients that started to arrive from 7.45am onwards. No one's fault - I suppose its the same in every ward of every hospital. Having said that, they were still professional and went about their business quite cheery

Anything else?

I have to go back for major surgery and I don't feel half as anxious. I hope that I am as lucky next time to be treated with the same kindness and dignity. I would like to think they they look upon each patient as an individual with feelings. No matter how old we are, we're still a tad scared and naturally, would prefer to be anywhere else but there at that time.