Mr Michael Barrett 2023-02-15 Person 5 5 0

I wish to write to thank you and your team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge most sincerely for the wonderful care I have received over the last couple of months in relation to mending my fractured right elbow (I slipped on soggy leaves on a wet London pavement on the way to meeting at Birkeck University of London!). I have had excellent previous experiences from care teams at Addenbrooke’s when I had my sons Will and Joseph (now 21 and 19 years old) delivered at the Rosie and then several years ago when I had my gall bladder removed successfully. The care I received on my most recent encounter at Addenbrooke’s, since mid-November has been, likewise, first rate. All the teams of doctors and nurses I met with were consistently friendly, reassuring and did a good job at explaining procedures, waiting times, hoped for outcomes, likely recovery time and likely longer term implications. At no time did I feel vulnerable, confused or unheard because any questions I had were answered immediately, comprehensively and compassionately. The waiting areas and especially the wards I visited were clean and quiet. I stayed overnight as the operation took place at the end of the day and the overnight care was excellent too: nice food, low lighting during the night-time hours, with the team of nurses deliberately speaking in low tones and trundling their trolleys round quietly in order not to disturb other patients. I was sent home with appropriate and sufficient medicine supplies and with a helpful letter for my workplace regarding a phased return to work, which was useful when speaking subsequently with my workplace’s Occupational Health team. When the physio came round, I asked her for some physio exercises to be sent to me by post which I received within the next couple of days, so that I was able to continue my care on my own. I remember having a very jolly conversation with a couple of anaesthetists and it was good to meet your colleague Mr Omar Toma, on 16 December, for my follow up visit, and then to meet you properly yesterday, in the sign-off meeting - to be able to thank you and your team in person. You were so kind and thoughtful to ask if I wanted to take photos from your screen of my elbow pre and post operation; I have shown them to family members and they are impressed with your handiwork! Thank you for looking after me so well. Indeed, I had to wait only 1.5 days for an operation, for which I am sincerely grateful and know how luckyI am. I deeply respect the care you and most doctors and nurses constantly show countless patients year upon year. I have vowed that when I retire, I will be a volunteer and offer my services to my local hospital in any way deemed appropriate, as I realise that help is gratefully received and there are many jobs that a volunteer would be capable of doing! Renewed sincerest thanks for giving me such an excellent care experience at Addenbrookes and wishing you, Mr Toma and the rest of your wonderful team all the very best in your work and future careers. May the NHS be enabled to continue its excellent work. Warmest wishes, Susanna