"Treatment Luck of the draw"

Having read through some of the patients experiences I feel a lot depends on where you end up in this place. Some wards appear to be good but as yet I haven't had the good fortune to be placed on one of these but feel they must exist. I was taken in by ambulance last week and I can't praise the ambulance crew enough they were excellent.

Then onto a trolley given pain relief, nurses here very good too, but I think nothing prepares you for what is to follow. I saw lots of nurses, lots of other people all rushing around, very noisy, but it seemed to me they were not dealing with patients. I spent the night there between two patients who were both shouting for most of the night, at about 2 a.m. I heard nurses outside making so much noise laughing and shrieking, banging and bumping, man in next bed had disconnected pipe from his arm looked like a blood bath, nurse came I heard them say “oh you are in a mess looks like you have messed too", then I saw them go away but did not return. About 5 minutes later another nurse came, had a look and also went away. Third nurse came, saw and set to clean him and his bed. When I asked why her uniform was different I was told she was an agency nurse. I was moved to another ward which was much quieter, I asked for another pillow as I need to be propped up they had neither a spare pillow or an extra blanket, I have heard two pillows per bed is the rule apparently.

I think the food does leave a lot to be desired but when you are hungry it seems OK.

I was told I could go home at about 12. 15 and was taken to the "Discharge Lounge" checked the time when I arrived there as I have had prior experience of waiting for medication from the pharmacy, it was 12.57. The man I sat next to had been there since 9.30 that morning , I hoped I wouldn't have that long to wait, they put all your details up on the board but not your time of arrival and there is no clock, I finally left at 4.20 just over three hours. I think when I was discharged I still didn't feel too good as a whole and having to sit there for hours is I felt was appalling.

I hope I never have to go there again but given the state of my health I probably will.