"started off really well but rapidly went..."

What I liked

The preop care was exceptional, an army of people came to see me to get relevant information, the preop staff were caring, professional and were pro active rather than reactive. There was no "lets see what happens" which i have experienced in other hospitals. All ward 9 nurses bar one were fantastic, and 2 of them went the extra mile.

What could be improved

One nurse was unhelpful, although I had just had a hip operation the previous day she refused to give me adequate pain relief. The pain got so bad that I was in tears and extremely distressed. Two of the professionally behaved nurses sorted me out and the wrong nurse apologised. I did not see the nurse who had witheld my medication again for which I was incredibly relieved.

I think the aftercare should be improved. I informed the staff that I would be alone with my children 5 days out of 7 as my husband works away but despite this I was discharged without any care for home at all. I begged the OT for some aids like a claw, a shower chair and a trolley so I could help myself but I was told to wash out of a basin for 6 weeks, get my children to make cups of tea and the OT shrugged and said I don't know why I'm here. Very disappointing and upsetting. The physiotherapists walked me a few steps one time only and sent me up a small fake wooden staircase, then discharged me. I felt that they just wanted rid as quickly as possible. Another woman in my ward who had a knee replacement was treated the same way as me but another lady who had a hip replacement was given all types of aids and aftercare by the hospital even though the hospital claimed to me that they don't do that! Despite telling the staff that I would be alone 5 days out of 7 they still put on my discharge form that I didn't live alone. They claimed I could also dress myself but at the time of leaving the hospital I was unable to. Due to the nature of the operation I had I have to partial weightbear for 6 weeks unlike a hip replacement whereby you need to get your feet to the ground as soon as possible so this makes day to day tasks and looking after my children extremely trying. As all parents know you don't just drink tea all day!!

Anything else?

I would recommend this hospital despite all this but I would advise that you be fully aware of what you will be like post op and what care you are likely to need and make sure that you put it in place. I had tried to be organised before the op and went to see my GP, he put me in touch with social services who told me that the hospital should provide intermediate care but when I said this to the staff they told me they don't and that I should go to my GP. Full circle!