"Five star from start to finish"

What I liked

I was admitted to North Tees for anterior disc decompression and replacement.

From the welcome at the admissions unit to discharge from ward 33 I can fault nothing.

The transfer from admissions to operations unit was relaxed and reassuring.

After a short wait in the operation lounge I was transeferred to the theatre.

I cannot comment on the operation as I was obviously asleep, which if you dont know what disc decompression and replacement means is a good thing.

After about 4 hours I arrived at ward 33 for my overnight stay in a small 4 bed room with toilet.

The nursing staff where absolutely first class and could not do enough for you, I was visited by surgical staff from the orthopeadic department before breakfast and physiotheraphy before discharge and follow up appointments arranged.

The food was equal to any popular hotel group delivered hot with a reasonable choice.

Whenever a patient was discharged their bed and area was stripped and cleaned within minutes.

I have only 2 minor niggles.

The first was nothing to do with the care cleanliness or comfort but with another patient who seemed to think they should keep the whole ward awake.

The second was the pain medication provided, I had just had my neck cut open and throat moved and still have difficulty swallowing so please can patients in a similar state as me have soluable medication to help us get pain relief.

What could be improved

Soluable pain medication

Anything else?

The staff of this hospital that I met are a shining example of how good our NHS is but I dont think this can be maintained with the cuts in budgets

To both the budget controllers of the hospital and the staff I know you both have difficult times but I personally thank you for your help.

Please try and keep up the good work.