The Tunbridge Wells Hospital

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2023-01-07 Person 5 5 0

My special needs adult daughter had an ovary and cyst removed was kept in overnight for observation. The consultant, the theatre staff who suggested I stay with her until she went under, and the nursing staff on the ward were all expert, kind and friendly and did everything to make sure her experience was as easy and comfortable as possible. I was offered a bed if I wanted to stay the night. A doctor took the trouble to come to see us before the ward round took place. I'm glad to have the opportunity to record 5 stars for all involved

nothing that I can think of

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2022-07-27 Person 5 5 0

All the treatment I have had at Tunbridge Wells Hospital (and the operation at Maidstone) has been extremely professional. Tests were scheduled promptly, communication was clear and all the staff have been kind, friendly and all gone the extra mile for me. Thank you NHS!

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2022-03-02 Person 3 5 0

I rang Pembury hospital with bleeding and contractions and was told to come in and they would be expecting me. Having already had a miscarriage I was anxious. Upon arrival we were told that I could wait inside but my partner had to wait in the corridor so we both decided to wait together as contractions were painful and I wanted him there. We had to wait for an hour and 10 minutes in the corridor whilst having painful contractions. Nobody checked the bleeding at this time or checked how we were doing.

An update on waiting times would have been better and staff to check on patients and not make them wait in a corridor for that long in a lot of pain.

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2022-02-01 Person 5 5 0

I went to the gynaecology and obstetrics unit for my first 12 week scan, unfortunately the sac was empty and it was a missed miscarriage, but the staff were so incredible and kind it made the whole experience bearable. The staff were extremely empathetic and spent lots of time making sure we were comfortable and had our privacy whilst we made the next step/choice together. We felt very well informed about our options and were given all the time we needed. The ‘quiet rooms’ were extremely helpful to the process. We couldn’t have done it without these. Our nurse (Emma Brown) as well as all the other people we dealt with, went above and beyond to make us feel as comfortable as possible. Thank you gynaecology and obstetrics team

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2021-12-22 Person 1 5 0

I gave birth on October 6th 2021 at delivery suite. I didn’t think my birth preferences were taken into account of and felt like the reasons for my interventionist birth were not explained to me at the time, after the event or in the notes. Whilst I accept the doctors and nurses are very busy, and sometimes cannot explain what’s happening at the time, it would have been kind for one of the many many professionals at my delivery to explain why they went in with instruments after my husband and I said three times we didn’t want it, and after I had been promised I’d be allowed to finish pushing

1. Clear communication before delivery 2. Clearer explanations of why you’re taking the actions you’re taking at the time of intervention (eg baby’s heart rate has dropped, you’re losing blood) not just “we are going in with the ventouse” 3. Someone (doesn’t have to be the busy consultant) explaining why things happened the way they did if they were rushed for a good reason 4. No scare tactics. I kept being warned about c-section and a need to go to theatre 5. Consistent clear instructions - multiple different people giving conflicting advice on pushing and breathing 6. Clearer reasoning in maternity notes so that post-event in a birth debrief these can be understood.

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2021-11-27 Person 5 5 0

I’m so happy with my care at Tunbridge Wells hospital. The measures taken during covid have certainly work for time and efficiency of everything running smoothly. I came in with a sharp shooting pain in my left abdo area, got seen by triage very quickly, then blood taken, saw a doctor and transferred to gynae all within an hour. Turns out it wasn’t a gynae problem so they took me to SAU where I was referred for a scan the following day. Scan was fine but surgeons genuinely believed my pain level and I’m glad they did! I had an emergency laparoscopic appendectomy which showed my appendix was inflamed so it was removed. The whole process from start to finish was easy, even when I had a panic attack, staff were there instantly to help me. The Healthcare assistants are some of the most amazing people and so unbelievably good at their jobs. The surgeons treated me like a human and not just a bit of meat, which sadly I’ve had dealings with before. And the nurses on each ward were phenomenal, from holding my hand in scans or bringing me a cup of tea after fasting for 20 hours! After a previous bad experience at this hospital, I’m so glad that all of these incredible staff have changed my mind. I’ve never felt so comfortable and relaxed knowing I’ll be having surgery.

Maybe communication. After 8pm I didn’t think I’d be going down to theatre and I had a huge panic as I hadn’t eaten in a long time and was starting to get dehydrated. I had a drip put in, in theatre, but maybe it should have come before then.

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2021-06-28 Person 2 5 0

I was directed to Maidstone Hospital A&E by NHS 111. I was given an arrival time of 16.51 and given the impression that they would be aware of this. I arrived slightly early and having been temperature checked directed to reception. There were three receptionists two of who were dealing with other people. I stayed back waiting to be called forward. Frankly, I felt like I was invisible as first one receptionist became free and failed to notice I was there. Then another became free with much the same result. After several minutes another person arrived and was also waiting. The receptionist beckoned to this person, asking if he'd been there longest. When I said I had been there longer the receptionist must have picked up on my surprise and began trying to defend the lack of attention given. Booking in it seemed they were not aware of any of the information I had already given to 111. No wait time was given or available. I was seen by a triage nurse after around an hour then sent back to the waiting area. After another long wait I was called along with 2 others and taken to "Minors" and directed to the waiting area. No information as to how long the wait would be. By 21.30 there seemed no likelihood of being seen still so I enquired if there was any indication of when I would be seen. I was told there were 5 people ahead of me but still no estimate of time. I was asked about why I was there and given some alternative options for possible care. With my wife waiting in her car in the car park and no information on when I might be seen, I reluctantly left. The whole experience was awful. I appreciate that these units are busy but there must be better ways to manage the flow of patients. Other people were also fed up with the delays and some also left. Hopefully my condition isn't as bad as I fear and one of the offered services can help further. I would not use Maidstone Hospital if I have the choice in future.

I had no issue with the medical staff but just about everything else needs to be improved.

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2021-06-09 Person 5 5 0

I feel the need to send feedback to thank everyone who looked after me in Tunbridge Wells Hospital l when I was admitted on 8th June 2021. From when I first arrived in A&E I was treated with the upmost respect, kindness and compassion, especially Dr Romani, who went above and beyond the call of duty, and is a real credit to the NHS! I would also wish to thank all the staff on Ward 12 who cared for me, namely Nurse Emily and Nurse Ruth, they were so helpful and nothing was too much trouble! Once again a very big THANK YOU to you all, you are angels in disguise xxxx Mrs Hazel Rothery

N/A

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2021-05-17 Person 3 5 0

I was admitted on the 14th of may for irregular heart rate and being bed bound. The vast majority of staff were lovely and have taken great care of me. However, there was one nurse/doctor (a man with a heavy accent) wearing darkish blue scrubs at approximately around 4-5pm ish who was extremely rude and had me in tears. 1) he wheeled me in, started tapping away on the computer 2) he then turns around (doesn't introduce himself nor explain what he was going to do) then tells me in a rather condescending manner "are you aware that you've had 90 admissions"? Feeling uncomfortable I answered yes is that a problem? He replies no and he carries on tapping away on the computer 3) so I began to ring my husband as I assumed he was going to chat with me with what's going on (I have a learning difficulty which means I have trouble retaining information which was why I needed my husband to listen as due to the pandemic wasn't a loud in with me. 4) as I was doing this he turned around and said "no your going outside I can't deal with you. Upset I was confused with the way he was being and quite frankly making me feel scared, he shoved me out and left me in the middle of the minors waiting room at which point I was sobbing as I didn't understand why he was being so passive aggressive. When he did this I heard him saying to other docs and nurses "I can't deal with her". So I ring my husband trying to calm down even begged to go home even tho I knew and he knew I wasn't well enough. At which point a lovely nurse took me into a side room and was very compassionate caring and understanding and managed to calm me down then another nurse/ doctor came in and she was also very caring compassionate and wanted to help calm me down. As I'm calming down and able to speak the man who was very rude and caused unnecessary stress comes in and offers to do bloods. Feeling uneasy I said no and asked the lady if she could do it. I've never done a lengthy complaint before but I felt that this needed to be addressed as I don't want anyone else to go thru what went thru. I get that the workload can be and has been tough thru out the pandemic but felt this needed to be addressed. I'm still in hospital and have been referred to a cardiologist as my heart rate still isn't right. I don't take going to hospital lightly, I've been in and out of hospital with a complicated medical history thru out my life. I'd like to finish by saying a big thank you to the staff that have been looking after me and treating me with such respect kindness.

Be non judgemental and not belittle (this only goes to the nurse/doctor as explained above

The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2021-05-13 Person 5 5 0

I have had the most wonderful treatment from everyone who has looked after me, from the lady in Admissions to the anaesthetists, consultant and post care staff on the ward. The cleaners too were cheerful, efficient and kind. I could not have hoped for a better experience and would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. I was not looking forward to my operation but it has been immeasurably more bearable than I could have anticipated.

Not a thing!