"A good experience, and would definatly..."

What I liked

Within half an hour of my arrival I had been seen by the "Prof" and the anethetist.

All staff were friendly, and put me at ease. It was good that they knocked on the room door before entering. I did notice everyone was very courteous. I was impressed by the quickness in which call bells were answered. All staff, from catering, housekeeping, nursing, physio, doctors made me feel at ease, and that they enjoyed doing their jobs, which makes for a happy hospital. I particulary like the anethestist. I went under "laughing" they were a gem.

The whole experience was enjoyable. A funny thing to say when one is having a knee replacement, but it was. Pain control was good too.

What could be improved

I would have liked to have been told what drugs I was taking and what for> I asked, but information wasn't offered. I had a blod test for my haemaglobin, and had to ask the result.

Maybe many people prefer not to know but I do like to be aware of what medication I was taking.

I think the discharge arrangements for medication was a bit slack. I had said I had pain killers at home, so was given none. It was only when I got home I looked at the instructions of the only drug I was given to take home, and realised that my pain killers should not be used with Clexane. I would have appreciaated more information about Clexane, and the fact I have to inject it myself. So I had no pain control for twelve hours after discharge. I was quite poorly the first night home, as I had gone from regular medication to nothing.

I had expected a discharge letter. I have no idea if my dressing has to be changed . Or when my stitches are to be taken out, as I have no written instructions at all about this. I vaguely remember someone mentioning something to me about stitches, but one doesn't absorb that sort of information whilst in hospital, it needs writing down.Knee replacementCommunicationCourteousDoctorsPhysiotherapistsOpening hours