"Things need to be improved"

Anything else?

I came in for laparoscopy on 13th Feb after my original date in Januart had been cancelled. This was my first time at KGH for this surgery (previously I had been treated in London) and was firstly astounded that the Maple Ward was in pretty much opposite the maternity ward, worse still when I went down to the theatre, it's placed right next to the Delivery Suite.

A tad insensitive when you're desperately trying for a child but the possibility is practically impossible.

On arrival to the Maple Ward, I was greeted by a female assistant who snapped "name?" And then continued to show me to the bay of beds. As we got to the beds, a nurse was there where the assistant said to her "you better jet him know". This was in reference to my husband as males are not allowed on the ward according to the nurse. This caused me to be quite upset as at no point in the run up to surgery, including my pre-op was I told my husband could not wait with me before / after surgery.

The nurse was very nice about it all and she can't be blamed but where was the duty of care from KGH to ensure their patients are fully aware of what's what in the in up to surgery?

Once my surgeon had visited me, the same nurse transferred me to an individual room, yet still told me my husband wouldn't be allowed to be with me - I'm sure there was method in the madness but my emotional state wasn't playing ball.

In recovery, I was told I had to be kept in overnight and the lovely nurse said she would call my husband and she would let him be with me on the ward.

That same night, my husband and I could hear a make voice and assuming it was the partner of one of the nurses or assistants as they all seemed familiar with him and his child, he stayed for what seemed like 30 mins.

So what happened to the 'no male policy'?

The next morning, without even as much as a knock, a male assistant strolls into the room asking whether I'd like breakfast! Now something doesn't seem right here for an all female ward with a 'no male policy'.

My surgeon is an absolute star as are the waiting list staff, his secretary and the nurses that took care of me... It's an absolute shame that the daytime staff on the Maple ward are rude and what can only be described as bored of their jobs where they find it more important to ensure patients know the 'no male policy' whilst they talk to the other assistants of how they visit the gym! I must say the night shift assistant was lovely.

The room that I was moved to had crumbs on the floor and hair and when the cleaner came in, it was given a quick sweep, mop and bins changed - within 3 mins it was all done. It's a shame that the crumbs and hair was still under the bed.

Overall experience was absolutely appaling but the surgeon was 10/10 as were the night shift nurse and the nurse on the morning of the 14th - a cover nurse who went above and beyond.