"A conveyor belt item"

What I liked

The aneasthetist was excellent. She was the only person who treated me as a human being when she saw me pre-operatively and then in the anaesthetic room. Thank goodness for her.

What could be improved

Day Surgery Unit (Orthopaedic surgery) - made to feel you were an item on a conveyor belt.

On arrival the clerk told a man standing nearby (who turned out to be adoctor) "this is another one of yours" ("this" being me). The doctor introduced himself and then proceeded to take my history as we walked down the corridor. He continued this in the clean utility room with people coming in and out and me having to repeatedly move so they could access cupboards etc. No wonder The nurse 'did her bits' in the same room. I felt as if I was an inconvenience.

After that I sat in the most uncomfortable chairs anyone could design and I sat and I sat. Eventually I was asked to change in a cluttered room with little privacy and it was so difficult as I have a disability and had nothing to hold onto or support me. Then I sat and I sat in a small room in even more uncomfortable chairs until I felt quite ill but no one did anything about it.

I felt as if I was in the way.

Anything else?

This experience was such a shock. Less than 2 years ago I had day surgery (under the same consultant team but in a different ward area) and the care was beyond excellent. I was overwhelmed by the kindness, friendliness and professionalism of every member of the team. What a shame the standards have slipped so poorly.