"Mixed wards should not be allowed"

I stayed on Firth 7 and Firth 8 the medical assessment unit for cardiac care and a viral infection. The surgeons were good, x-rays, E.C.Gs carried out.

The initial (first day) post operative care, overall organisation of nursing, and the food could have been better.

However, I was upset at the initial post-op care and the situation of the mixed ward on Firth 8.

The nursing in general is O.K. Individuals are excellent, some others I found indifferent and uninterested. From what I saw, there seems to be a lack of overall organisation. No one seems to be in charge of ward staff activities. Mitigative circumstances are that nursing seems to be badly under staffed and they work very long shifts.

Consultant/doctors/patient communication is not good. It is difficult to know who, if anyone is particularly responsible for your individual care. In my last two stays in hospital I only once saw the same doctor there. Timing/punctuality was not good. I was told that I could go home tomorrow morning. At 5.30pm I was still waiting for completion of paperwork, doctors final O.K. and pharmacy, or we need to do a further test later today. I was still waiting the following day. I think that mixed wards should never, never be allowed, I found them a totally embarrassing and humiliating experience.