"The staff treat you with respect ..."

What I liked

The staff treat you with respect and without being condescending or domineering this makes a huge difference in one's experience. It creates the feeling of working together to resolve health problems so even though you may have lost your health, you do not loose your dignity and therefore hope.

What could be improved

In the holding ward between A&E and admittance into a general ward the noise levels are very high. Nurses and staff often talk at full volume at 3am in the corridors (not medical conversations but vacations, personal issues etc). Doors bang, trolly's clang and generally for anyone feeling unwell and probably more sensitive to noise it is very difficult. Sleep is utterly impossible, which is a shame as being ill one rather needs sleep to assist in recovery. I think both these issues could be improved perhaps by using door closers that prevent slamming and perhaps some rules about lowering voices and keeping conversations to a minimum after midnight.

Anything else?

Really compared to my last hospital visit which was some years ago things have dramatically improved. My illness was unpleasant but the hospital stay of five days was not. Thank you for all the improvements you have obviously worked so hard to make, they really do make a difference to the patient.