"Redwood Elective Unit is a credit ..."

What I liked

Redwood Elective Unit is a credit to the NHS

Brook Ward was extremely clean, I had a private room and the staff were caring and attentive. A doctor visited me every day and a nurse appeared every time I rang the bell. I was consulted about my drugs intake four times a day. The Step Down Ward was amazing; The nurse and her team worked with efficiency and kindness. Checks were done on the standard of cleanliness while I was there and this does seem to be a priority. The consultant treated me with respect and courtesy.

What could be improved

I did not appreciate having to wait from 0730 - 1530 in a waiting room and a lack of liquids made me feel unwell. No one explained the reason for the long wait. However, I made a point of finding out. There is a need to communicate with patients better and I would suggest that anyone waiting for an operation should telephone to find out what time they should arrive, rather than just accepting a time on the printed information sheet. I also had an epidural procedure which did not work. Perhaps that could have been explained to me. All post operative care was excellent.

Anything else?

Having read comments on the website, read a very negative report in a local paper and listened to comments from past patients, I found it hard to believe that this is the same hospital that they all describe. I would like to have visited general wards to have seen whether the standard of cleanliness and care was of a lower standard. I do think that a number of nursing and other staff are employed where English is not their first language. Priority should be given to the employment of staff who are able to communicate effectively