"Didn't have the choice"

This was an emergency, and I received excellent care.

Because I arrived in the early hours of the morning the rush had diminished a little.

Care by the staff was very kind and personalised. They were friendly, reassuring and care giving.

The food was very good and there was a wide choice.

The blood pressure machines were not very good.

They kept switching on again, and often failed to reach a reading though some of the cuffs were too small and were more painful than they needed to be.

Obviously a result of the Ministerial cuts. Otherwise at any hour of the day or night people came briskly to the bedside and were happy to help with major or very minor concerns.

I would say that patient centred care was very much in evidence and my 8 day stay was very well conducted. They were not judgemental about my being overweight or about my age. I was treated in A & E, Xray, Ultrasound, and in a general ward.

I had an ensuite shower room which were spacious and spotless. Mental Health, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and the Chaplaincy attended.

I'd like to thank everyone for their treatment of me as an individual, as though I was the only patient there.

This was not true.

There were many, and the staff were rushed off their feet, but you wouldn't know it.