"Recent Visits to ER and Fitz/Orthopedic ward."

I attended a&e a few weeks ago, at a relatively quiet time, (midday on 09/02/17) and was seen promptly and efficiently. All the staff I came across were cheerful, efficient and knowledgeable.

I was triaged in 10 minutes and saw a doctor soon after. Within 30 minutes I was told I would need to be admitted, and a few hours later I was sitting in fitzwilliam ward undergoing blood tests and questioning in prep for surgery. I had surgery the next afternoon, and was sent home home a couple of days later.

2 weeks after that, I was readmitted for a wound follow up, and received a further procedure plus 1 day of recovery time.

On both visits to the ward, it is clear that all staff are under a lot of pressure, with a mixture of relatively fast moving (and simple) patients, together with long staying patients with very complex problems and who need lots of care 24/7. There also seemed to be patients with mental health issues which adds additional challenges to the work of the nurses.

The ward staff on both occasions were very friendly and extremely helpful throughout.

Thanks also to the surgeons and theater staff who were friendly, helpful, and reassuring throughout.