"My experience was stressful."

What I liked

This is a comment from a relative of a patient.I accompanied my husband to the Day Surgery unit for a procedure on his back.The surgeon who did this was excellent,very skilled and professional and we have no complaints in this regard.

What could be improved

It did seem a bit like a production line at times. Granted the surgery was busy,but you did feel like you were being 'processed' - I overheard one nurse refer to 'the first batch'. People are individuals and some were anxious - a more personal touch might be nice.

Anything else?

I was very distressed to find that I was barred from being on the ward with my husband prior to and following his surgery.I was made to sit in the waiting room where as the time ticked past I became visibly upset,but even though this was noticed by staff,it seems this policy of 'no relatives on the ward' is inflexible.Although I appreciate that hoards of people around a bed is unacceptable,I fail to see what harm it would have done to allow a wife to sit with her husband.I did explain that hospitals distress me and that I was worried,but it did not seem to matter - I felt 'surplus to requirements'. Perhaps this policy could be made more flexible,it does seem a bit callous.