The Royal Oldham Hospital

Absolutely disregarded by consultants in the maternity unit. My options thoughts and feeling mean absolutely nothing it’s their way or I was in their words “killing my baby”. DR Hartley has to be one of the worst and in compassionate consultants I have ever come across. She does not work with you as a patient - was told my past experiences I was to forget them (previous birth trauma resulting in loss of baby). I felt like I was a bystander in my own care. Had nurses who told me what they was doing to me and then asked what my preferences would be later on

Admitted to the unit for planned gynae surgery to take place over a weekend. Having surgery felt over whelming however all staff were sensitive whilst honest and reassuring throughout. The care received from pre-op to surgery was exceptional from all staff. I felt well cared for and safe. The information post surgery was timely and the information given to me was clear. I had been advised by friends to pay for private surgery and whilst it may have been quicker, I can’t see how the quality of care could have been any better. Bless our NHS!

Horrendous experience from the maternity and postnatal wards. Firstly, several midwives missed a breech presentation (all checks done on the same day) and it was a STUDENT midwife who noticed this and alerted a doctor, at 37 weeks pregnant. This was then escalated to be a c-Section discussion. Upon going into labour naturally prior to my elective C-section, midwife tried to convince me to have a vaginal birth despite me strictly saying no due to the breech presentation, babies heart rate already erratic on the monitor and previous 3rd degree tears. Post - section, midwife dismissed concerns on several occasions around babies breathing saying he had mucus due to his delivery. This was until the lady that changed the bedding and brought the water protested and argued for a doctor on my behalf - doctor did checks and then baby was rushed to the NICU after 5 hours on postnatal ward. Baby had a hole in his lung and wasn’t about to breath, couldn’t take in oxygen. Following this, I was placed in a separate room on the ward in which I was CONTINUALLY asked by staff “where is your baby” and “where have you left your baby” by a variety of staff members, including midwives, infant feeding teams, support workers etc. The communication was shocking and no one brought me to see baby in the NICU until 24 hours AFTER SUBMISSION TO NICU. I was left not knowing what was happening, unable to get out of bed due to the C-section and spinal. I was also offered no food through the first 36 hours of my stay due to a gluten allergy and the staff being unable to cater for this. Overall, absolutely shocking experience and would not be using Oldham maternity and postnatal wards again.

I have had a recent 12 day stay at ROH as a surgical patient but placed in an available bed on F5 gynae ward as that is what was available. My stay was great, all the staff on F5 are amazing! I would like to pay special tribute to a handful of staff but that doesn't mean that those I haven't mentioned didn't measure up, it means the list is too long to name everyone and these staff are those who not only delivered spectacular care, they went above and beyond. Patricia - Nurse - Reggie- Nurse Jackie - Nurse Rose - Nurse Amanda - Nurse Patricia - HCA Toni Marie - HCA Denise - Domestic The surgical Team I would like to thank you all for your kindness, hard work and your dedication to your role. It is always easy for others to criticize, but I have seen the challenges you face and the professionalism in how you deal with those challenges. Be very proud F5 - you are an amazing team!!

Arrived at A&E at 2.30pm after a fall from a scaffold. I was seen by a very professional and courteous consultant by 3.30p m. He examined me and requested an ECG which showed an irregularity. I was referred to SDEC and by 4pm had been seen by ACP Rob. Again he was very polite and professional. He explained my condition thoroughly and requested blood tests and medication which will show in an hour if it is appropriate. I cannot fault the care that I have received. All the staff have been exceptional.

I arrived at Oldham in an ambulance from Fairfield in bury. My waters had broken and I was mid miscarriage. The staff in resus were amazing. They were all waiting for my arrival and ready to assist me as soon as I came through the door. One staff member particularly made the hardest day of my life a little easier with her care and compassion for what I was going through. Her name was Veronica. She went above and beyond and continued to reassure me on next steps and what was happening. This woman is a treasure and I hope she can read this review and know that the effort she puts in will always be remembered by people like me. Such a lovely woman. And a credit to the hospital.

I was advised by my Dr, to attend, this Hospital yesterday, ( 15/3/25) as an emergency, and was informed, I would be seen, reasonably quick, my Dr rang before hand, and spoke with a Consultant, I did not expect to be seen, immediately, I do not think I am someone special, however, to please my Dr ( who is wonderful, and was very concerned), I attended the the Royal Oldham Hospital To say I was shocked at this Hospital, would be an understatement. This Hospital is a disgrace, hazardously, filthy, you have more chance of catching, diseases etc, here, not one dispenser, had any sanitizer in them, in A&E, or in the Entrance Area, every single one was empty, I could not believe it, ( I carry my own, thankfully ). I witnessed a few people, who were trying these dispensers, and the look of disgust, and their feedback, regarding the lack of hand sanitizer and, cleanliness, in the Hospital is, understandable, so much so, I took videos of these empty, sanitizers, all empty. I had a look, in the cleaners bucket, while walking down the stairs, there was no water in it, they were using a dry cloth, to wipe the hand rail, I did not want to touch the lifts, and witnessed the visible dirt, everywhere especially on the front of the lifts, is mind blowing, to me, ( some people are fine with this Standard, I am not ). I have a video of the dirt on the floors, walls, windows, the lifts, Dear Lord, I thought, I was in a 3rd world country, to me, this is unacceptable, for a Hospital, and Northern Care Alliance,NHS, should be held accountable immediately, ( in my opinion ), and quite a lot of other peoples who were at the Hospital. I spoke with a few people in A&E, whilst waiting, who were also disgusted, with the lack of cleanliness and waiting times, ( quite rightly so ), most staff on their mobiles, walking about glued to them, ( should not be allowed ), some uniforms were questionable, with regards to cleanliness and presentation , I heard one conversation outside by a member of staff, who I quote, was saying to someone on the phone, I have to go, one of the "Big Bosses", is here, I'll ring you back, when he has gone, ( I wish I had of bumped into him). I was transferred to T6 ward, surgical, to be seen, by a Dr, and asked to sit in the waiting room, where I spoke with a young very lady, who informed me she had been waiting, 4.5 hours, I couldn't believe it, and she was an emergency, she said last week she had to wait 17 hours, in that waiting room, I was in shock, and brutal pain. I asked the staff, how long roughly, would I have to wait, as the young girl was waiting 4.5 hours, and I needed to know, unfortunately, they did not know. I informed the staff that I was going home, as I was in too much pain, nor, did I want any treatment, should I have needed it. I was asked to sign a discharge declaration, which I did, I would have rather died, before, I would have surgery in that Hospital.I wished the young girl, good luck, ( sorry I forgot your name, I was that enraged with your treatment, wait) you should "sue" the Hospital, they have a "duty of care", also Shanaz, ( Staff ) Shkaria, "you" are a "star". I hope you go far, which I am sure you will. Thank you to the lovely members of staff, who helped me, with pain relief, and the Lady, who checked to see, if I got some, Thank you, so much. I worked at this Hospital, for three different, Consultants, and left. It has been quite a few years since my last visit, and I cannot believe, the state this Hospital is in. As a tax payer all my life, people, who require care, deserve much more, this Hospital, in my opinion, is a disgrace. I will post the videos later, hope this helps people.

Took my son to A&E at Rochdale and was referred to Oldham for further care and scan, not used A&E for a long time thankfully. I was really impressed with the staff at both Rochdale and Oldham and the time it took to get the treatment my lad needed. 4 hours in all which is good considering how many patients these amazing people have to get through.

I am appalled by the way booking staff and hospital treat patients, especially regarding surgical treatments. If you are not English but a British and EU citizen, you can forget about any assistance, even if you have worked for many years and paid taxes.

Ward staff could involve carers in decisions and communicate with them more efficiently. Continuity of care could be improved. Staff themselves are helpful and caring but no consistency in day to day care.