Queen Alexandra Hospital

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-24 Person 4 5 0

The room was spacious and felt clean. Staff were kind and considerate and listened to my questions and concerns. On discharge the nurse practitioner was extremely patient and made me feel at ease. Carefully explaining the steps I needed to take, contacts etc. I have impaired memory so scribbled notes but feel that most people would no doubt have forgotten something. Perhaps a concise one page crib sheet could be given to patients upon discharge. I’m in a wheelchair so there were a few aspects that didn’t enable equality or enable independence. In the bathroom the mirror (the only one available in either room) is positioned above a shelf and hand wash dispenser and as such was totally inaccessible. I’ve spent my entire admission being unable to do the most basic personal hygiene such as comb my hair. Perhaps another mirror could be placed at an accessible level. The litter bins are not accessible being all foot pedal operated meaning I was forced to use my hand to open the lid which I didn’t feel was very sanitary. Today the window cleaners propelled down the windows which I wasn’t aware of (neither is it my understanding that the staff are aware of either). This startled me and I should imagine might be quite so for a number of patients but especially the elderly, and those with dementia and/or mental illness. There must be a schedule for windows to be cleaned and perhaps wards could have this so they can let patients (and all staff) know in the morning. Also we understand that when doing personal care etc that the curtains would be drawn but one might have quickly slipped off a top or undergarment not expecting that they could be potentially viewed by a window cleaner. Especially in my instance as I was on the 4th floor. The bathroom lacked any natural light and felt claustrophobic. There was inadequate storage space with no hanging rail though there was ample space for a small wardrobe/drawer unit in the corner. You are told not to bring a lot into hospital due to lack of space. However, if you are in for an extended period you naturally need more things. I won’t comment on the Hospedia unit as it is not run by the hospital but a private company. However, having paid £39 for a week and never using it once. Perhaps that tells it’s own story. The food I found a challenge and didn’t sample much. I’m on a restricted diet so it’s hard. I would have preferred smaller portions of more choice. A little more like airline food where one is given a small salad, always a bread roll and butter, choice of main and dessert. And a piece of fruit. It’s difficult to decide how hungry you’ll be a few hours before when you are ordering. At least if you’re given a tray you can pick and chose. If you are presented with a tray and asked ‘is there anything on there you don’t want?’ Those items can be returned for another service. I would probably have eaten more had this style of tray were available as I like to pick and choose what takes my fancy at the time. I was offered hot drinks regularly and the choices included hot chocolate too which is nice. However, I was trying to limit my caffeine intake and what I really wanted was a cool glass of squash. I had bought a bottle with me as I know if faced with plain water I won’t drink as much as if offered squash. One of the most annoying things was putting up with squeaky wheels on trolleys! I was in a side room with the door shut and wearing noise cancelling headphones and could still hear them squeak! I very nearly sent relatives out to the nearest DIY store to purchase oil. I heard staff discussing how they’d put certain things on the wheels at other hospitals in a vain attempt to dull the sound. There is always noise in hospital, it can’t be helped, but where it can be, it should. What a shame there wasn’t a sign celebrating the talented children whose photography adorns the walls in the surgerical area. I had asked my nurse about them after being confused by a random giraffe peaking around the door. It’s a lovely idea and makes it personal. Nice touches such as these should be celebrated. I hope that you accept these comments and find them useful and I hope, may feel some of them warrant further thought. On the whole the hospital is doing a fantastic job on, as we all know, an extremely tight budget.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-24 Person 5 5 0

- Would be more Beneficial if one's appointments is with the same Consultant. - Waiting between 30 to 60 minutes within the Hospital Pharmacy to receive off the shelf drugs as per prescription appears to be excessive.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-23 Person 5 5 0

The department where I receive my care is extremely busy, however the staff are always professional, efficient and friendly delivering their service. Their expertise is evident and reassuring. This has been a difficult journey for me but the staff have been exemplary in the care and consideration they have shown me.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-23 Person 4 5 0

I was in the QA hospital Ward D5 for a hip replacement operation on 14th April 2018, the service I received was excellent from all of the staff I had dealings with from nurses to OT and clinical. The treatment and explanations of the need for that treatment were very good and reassuring. I was assessed and discharged on 16th April at about 1140 am. Up to that time everything had been as described above and I was ready to leave pending the delivery of my medication from the pharmacy. I had been warned by the three other patients in my section of ward D5 , and by friends that there were often delays in this service, but to wait until 1630 for my medication, is very frustrating and appears to have become the norm. Worst of all is the fact that the already busy staff on the wards bear the brunt of the complaints and frustrations - completely unacceptable. I do not believe that this practice cannot be streamlined significantly, and as it reflects badly on the experience as whole must contribute unnecessarily to pressure and dissatisfaction of the nursing staff so widely reported in the media. Do something about it!!

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-22 Person 5 5 0

The care and attention I received was fantastic. I definitely couldn't have been treated any better. all the staff were very polite and courteous. they are a credit to the NHS service.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-22 Person 5 5 0

I am not sure the service can be improved. I was dealt with in a timely fashion and felt I received a first class service . Well done QA.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-21 Person 5 5 0

I commenced receiving care in July 2017, one year after having open heart surgery. I was absolutely in so much pain it was beyond imagining. I was referred to the Rheumatology Clinic by my GP and from my first appointment I began to understand that there was help available and there was medication that could ease the dreadful pain. Each Doctor I have met has been serious, kind and sympathetic, helpful and understanding. The Doctors and the Nurses I have seen have demonstrated their understanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis and I have benefited from their knowledge and expertise. My particular Doctor has never given me the impression that he is rushed (although I am aware that he is extremely busy) and that my appointment is concluded. He even makes time to share his personal outlook and philosophy on life which adds to my sense of well being and that I a human being and not just another patient in pain who has to be seen. I am extremely grateful to the Doctors, Nurses and Support Staff at the Clinic for their help, support and advice.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-20 Person 5 5 0

I was explained as to what was going to happen , and why, staff very friendly. The anaesthetist apologised for being dragged down to the hospital as he couldn't see the reason why. Wasting his time, junior doctors time and my time and money. I thought the NHS were short of money.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-20 Person 4 5 0

Great team as always

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-19 Person 5 5 0

Everything ran smoothly. As soon as I arrived at Outpatients, I was taken for blood pressure, ECG, height and weight, by a very pleasant lady. I did not wait long before my code appeared on the screen and I saw the Sister for my pre-op questions etc. Sister Jo Hall was lovely, very patient, caring, understanding, and I did not feel in the least bit hurried. She was very easy to talk to and I I feel well-informed about what will happen at my surgery on Monday. Thank you There has since been a little blip with my blood tests as the phlebotomist spelled my name incorrectly on my phials of blood so they were rejected. I have visited blood tests again today to have blood taken again for the pre-op test. Perhaps the phlebotomist should show the phials to the patient after writing on them so that the patient can check that the spelling and date of birth have been written correctly.