"Admitted via emergency to the ..."

What I liked

Admitted via emergency to the CDU unit where I was admitted for four nights suffering from pneumonia brought on from a debilitating flu bug. I havn't been an inpatient for a long time and I was impressed by all of the staff in the care and attention given to me during my stay. I was also impressed by the care given to other patients who were immobile, (personal care, feeding etc) even though some of them were, to put it mildly, quite awkward to staff. The food supplied was way above the standard Iexpected both in quality and variation and the catering assistants did their best to supply you with what you wanted within the choices. I would add that I am quite a fussy eater so this is worthy of praise!

What could be improved

I believe that the cleaning could be of a higher standard, especially at weekends. There is no comparison to a hospital in Spain where I visited

a friend on several occasions. Everywhere was immaculate.

The wait from discharge to receiving medication from the hospital pharmacy is an absolute farce and management need to get to grips with this as soon as possible. I noticed this with two other patients and I had to wait four hours for mine.

Anything else?

Unfortunately after returning home I was readmitted three days later for another four nights having a reaction to penicillin and also compounded by poor breathing and not being able to urinate and being constipated. This time two days in the CDU and two in Caversham ward. I am awaiting surgery for a back problem and because of the problems mentioned above I was given an MRI and CT scan and had previously had an ultrasonic scan. The care and attention given to me was second to none and I am very gratefull.