"Surprisingly positive experience and I would..."

What I liked

I had a day case admission to the Surgicentre based at the Lister Hospital Stevenage. I was aware that they had been given an improvement notice by CQC in March 2012 for poor systems management but I had no concerns regarding care.

I was very impressed with the good communications, dignity and respect given to everyone all the way through from pre theatre to PACU1, 2 and discharge lounge. At no time was I concerned that the staff were unsure of what they were doing and this instilled confidence in me.

I was given very clear instructions both whist I was there and both written and verbal instructions were given to me prior to leaving.

The only system that let my view of the Surgicentre down is the fact that I had to wait for over five weeks to be given an admission date. This was only obtained because I had to ring my Consultant's secretary to get information. I was then rung the next day by the POA department with a date.

What could be improved

The initial informing of admission date. I realise tha date may be some time away but I don't believe you should have to wait five weeks. For example my husband saw a Consultant and within four days had received his admission date.

All the staff are very friendly, do introduce themselves and were wearing their ID badges. But these badges on lanyards ( hmm infection control risk there!) and are not always visible so it would be nice for all staff to wear a pin badge that is easy to see. As you meet a new member of staff in each department and don't have the same nurse all the way through I think this is important.

When you arrive in the theatre admission lounge the Receptionsit is very polite, ask you to fill a form in but when you return it she doesn't then give any idea of what's going to happen next. I realised it was to wait for a nurse to come and collect me but I could see other people were wondering, especially as some of our waits was an hour. Keeping people informed reduces complaints and anxiety.