Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

The inefficiency and incompetence was alarming. I attended A&E in December 2025 due to severe breathing difficulties. I was diagnosed with a chest infection, given some antibiotics and discharged. Four days later my breathing difficulties had become so bad that I could walk only a few steps at a time before becoming totally breathless. I called an ambulance and was admitted to NNUH. I was eventually diagnosed with a bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE). After a few nights in the acute treatment unit I was moved to the discharge lounge but the discharge process was not discussed at all. After a night in the discharge lounge I was moved to Hethel Ward. The staff refused to tell me why I had not been discharged. A doctor informed me that upon receipt of my blood thinner description I could be discharged. The prescription arrived two days later. Someone needed a bed in that ward far more than I did (it was winter) but due to the NNUH's incompetence I was kept on the ward unnecessarily. My discharge letter stated that I was to be given an appointment to have an ECG after 12 weeks; that would have been March of this year. I have not received an appointment and it is now June. I have lodged a formal complaint about this matter. The discharge letter also stated that between 4 and 6 months after discharge I would have an appointment at the pulmonary clinic (sic). Six months are now up and the NNUH has failed to contact me about this. A PE is serious and frequently fatal; yet this hospital cannot get its act together to organise appointments for patients. I have no confidence in the hospital or its staff and have requested that I be treated at a different hospital. Norfolk is a lovely place, provided you're not ill.

I cannot thank the staff at the Acute Medical Unit enough when I was extremely ill in the summer ,they really looked after me well and got me on the road to recovery

Words cannot describe the gratitude i feel for all the staff , especially in the Ashill ward, NANOC Since Feb 2025 i had lost all faith with the NHS due to a previous hospital , but thanks to NNUH it was restored on 29 July 2025 Every nurse i met was courteous, polite and caring, truely caring , amazing positive attitude and wonderful people who really cared for me, The orthopedic team in the Ashill ward spoke clearly and so understanding, from the pre op nurse who was also so supportive and positive, there is not one thing i can honestly say of any thing negative what so ever, i truely feel i have been given my life back, i cannot thank you all here enough , you have most sincere, decent honest people who really took care of me, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH

a very good experience as a private patient treated at the weekend

Great care from diagnosis to surgery but the virtual ward needs looking into as I found this service not so great! Had to visit sdec unit twice after surgery and the doctors didn’t seem to have a clue and was forgotten about and left waiting for hours! Ask for pain relief twice but never received any!

The micro robotic surgery I received for my bowel cancer was incredible. If I had not had this procedure I would have had to stay in hospital for up to 12 days not 2. My recovery time would have been much longer and my outcome may have been different given the position of my cancer, if they had not been able to perform my surgery using this equipment. The whole team were professional, amazing and so caring, I could not have asked for better care.

Dreadful Colney Centre. The place you’d expect to be brimming with empathy. Worst experience we have ever had in a hospital. Abrupt in delivering news, disrespectful of our boundaries, mixed messages between Consultants and hygiene very poor. Training in how to speak to vulnerable patients needed.

The hospital is light airy and easy to get around. It is well sign posted and my experiences have been 99% pleasant ones.

I had a private consultation with Doctor Irshad Shaikh, he discussed my problem in depth and was very honest in the way forward for me. As a patient of many years due to my condition he is one of the best doctors I have come across and the H & N hospital are very lucky to have him.

I attended NNUH as a private patient. I cannot fault the level of service received from the private team however the service and care I received on the ward left much to be desired even had I been there as an NHS patient: My bed was unmade and despite asking, the nurse informed me that I did not need it until after surgery. This is despite being in for fistula and abscess surgery where sitting for long periods is extremely painful. I was admitted at 7am but did not go to theatre until 12pm. Two of the beds on the ward were dirty with bodily fluids on the handrails. I had to exchange my gown as the ‘clean’ one given me appeared to still have bodily fluids on it. There was no hand soap at the sink and was not refilled all day despite highlighting to the nurse. The nurse’s manner was dismissive, irritated and abrupt. She appeared put out when I informed her I had taken my own analgesia despite not once asking if I needed any. Post surgery, having been down in theatre and under GA for twice the length of time expected due to more invasive surgery needed, I was informed by the nurse that as soon as I could urinate I could leave. I could not even sit on the commode without assistance due to pain and feeling faint/unstable. Her body language and verbal noises suggested she was quite put out by having to help me with this. It took several hours for me to feel well enough to stand and get dressed. The nurse made it clear that she was getting impatient and wanted myself and the other two patients in the bay to vacate the ward as soon as possible. No food or drink was offered post surgery. After 2.5hours I requested a cup of tea and possibly some toast having starved since the night before. I was met with a huff from the same nurse who stated that no toast was available but she may be able to get a sandwich. One cup of tea was provided but I was too intimidated by the nurse to ask for more. This is in stark contrast to having attended the Arthur south DPU the week previously with my daughter who received outstanding, compassionate nursing care from the staff (and hot chocolate and toast for only a minor procedure!!). Water jugs were not refilled despite being exceptionally thirsty post anaesthetic. What was quite a stressful experience was made far worse by the behaviour of this one member of staff. However a senior nurse/matron was not seen on the ward to escalate this too.