"The 5 Star NNUH!"

I’ve recently returned home from a 3-night stay at the 5 Star Norfolk and Norwich, following my prostate operation on Monday 23rd May. It’s taken a lengthy, protracted, investigative process, involving problems, delays and cancellations over a period of 9 months to get to my operation. But, despite all of this, I’ve been overwhelmed by the quality of care and service I’ve received from all the staff I’ve met, in all the different units I’ve visited. It feels like I’ve been all over the hospital, but actually it has all been focused on Urology, starting with the Urology ‘One Stop’ Clinic, and progressing through the Arthur South Day Procedure Unit, the Norfolk Physiology Unit, the Same Day Admission Unit, Theatre, Recovery and ending successfully in Edgefield Ward.

There have, of course been highs and a few lows. Of the highs, the accolades have to go to my consultant and registrars, the initial ultrasound scan in the ‘One Stop’ Clinic, the friendly atmosphere of the Same Day Admission Unit, the feeling of being a lead part of a comedy show within Theatre, the remarkable level of care in Recovery and the support and attention I received on Edgefield Ward.

The low was being equipped with and having to live with, a catheter for over 9 months, something I’d never dreamed of having to be equipped with. During the 9 months I have had 9 replacements, with the wretched things either falling out (Kyle of Lochalsh), blocking (Norfolk, Suffolk and Tasmania), or being replaced for the investigative process. This included 2 Urodynamics Tests (Norfolk Physiology Unit), one aborted (couldn't get the pipework in – ouch!) and one successful (although it took 4 very nice members of staff, trying very hard, to replace the catheter afterwards – quite hurty that was!), together with 3 Cystoscopy appointments (Arthur South Day Procedure Unit), one of which had to be cancelled at the last moment, due to a delayed ward round. What’s more I’ve survived 8 Urinary Tract Infections. Through this I’ve met so many kind, caring and understanding members of the NHS, during what’s been for me a very intimate and, at times somewhat uncomfortable investigative process.

I can’t really begin to describe how wonderfully well I’ve been cared for throughout and how extraordinary our NHS members of staff are, with so many outstandingly lovely characters.