"Exemplary"

Anything else?

I was referred to UHND last October with a suspected basal cell carcinoma. The doctor I saw in Dermatology confirmed that it was a classic BCC, explained the problem and how it would be dealt with, and that I would need plastic surgery as a result. She arranged for me to see a plastic surgeon in November, and he further explained in detail what would need to be done, how the wound would be 'wallpapered' with a skin graft from my arm, and we agreed on a date in the New Year.

So very early one snowy January morning I attended the day surgery unit, and was quickly seen by the surgeon who would perform the procedure, and he again explained fully what he would do and answered my questions. By 8.00am I was in theatre and connected to various sensors and monitors, and because the operation was carried out under local anesthetic, I was able to observe the calm professionalism with which the team undertook their tasks. Over an hour later I was in the recovery area, and after a further examination I was discharged, and was home in time for lunch.

My treatment then passed to the ladies and gentleman of the Dressing Clinic, a group of people for whom absolutely nothing is too much trouble. Over the following few weeks they administered genuine care, as well as dealing with our occasional panic attacks with calm reassurance. My wounds are now completely healed.

So, any downsides? Just a couple. Car parking is expensive and there are sometimes long queues to get in. And surely someone should be enforcing the 'No Smoking Site' regulations, instead of letting them stand puffing away outside the main entrance doors, so that the rest of us have to walk through a cloud of smoke to get into the building.

I am certainly not an expert on hospitals, but it is difficult to see how I could have been better looked after than at UHND. I can only describe my treatment as exemplary.