"Not a lot of patient consideration and respect."

What could be improved

I have attended the freedom day case unit twice in 4 weeks for breast surgery, the most recent for a mastectomy. On both occasions have had a 5hr plus wait for surgery. Obviously this is quite an emotional time, I had relayed to the nurse at my preoperative assessment that I felt quite anxious which had been recorded on my notes. At my most recent visit, other than the nurse that admitted me, I was not spoken to for 4 hours, I was finally called through to see the anesthetist, by this time very anxious and dehydrated, I asked how much longer I would have to wait, to be told approx another1.5 hrs,said I had just about had enough & felt like going home. My comments were relayed to my surgeon who came out to see me, I was told 'this is the nhs what did I expect?' Think some of the staff have had a sensitivity/ compassion amputation.Would like to know why it is necessary to arrive at 11am when surgery is obviously planned for much later in the afternoon? if it is necessary to arrive so early then there needs to be a serious look at the waiting facilities, the Freedom unit must have one of the most uncomfortable, uninviting seating areas in the whole of the hospital.

Anything else?

The freedom day case unit is comparable with a meat processing plant. The cattle truck arrives at 11am,then transferred into a holding pen of a waiting room. May as well stick a number on your head and wait for your turn on the conveyor belt!