"My comments are as a visitor but are on..."

What I liked

My comments are as a visitor but are on behalf of my relative who was a patient. They concern the care given to her on the High Dependency Unit only and we were less impressed by the care on the wards.

The treatment and nursing care on the HDU was exceptional and impressive in every respect. It was wholly professional and of a very high standard. Equally impressive was the kindness and attention given to patients (and relatives) by the nursing and medical staff. The support staff were lovely too and the genral atmosphere just spoke volumes about the managers of the unit and the dedication of the staff. The team worked brilliantly together and were so supportive to one another other as well as to patients and visitors. I feel certain that it was not just the medical treatment that helped my relative to get better but the beswt nursing care I have witnessed. If only this kind of ward culture could be transferred to other staff teams.

What could be improved

Well the food was as terrible as it usually is in hospitals and it simply is not nutritous or apetising for people who most need it to be. But that's a small thing compared to how good everything else was.

Anything else?

The HDU at Machester Infirmary is the exception rather than the ruke. How wonderful it would be if other areas of the hospital and other hospitals could learn from them. I was on a HDU unit myself a few years ago and it was nothing like the one at manchester Infirmary. I think it is just exceptionally well managed and staff seem to genuinely dedicated. I think the nurses on the ward should be rewarded financially for their excellence - I was shocked to find out how little they earned. I wonder if the hospital management know what a gem they have.