Queen Alexandra Hospital

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-27 Person 5 5 0

My experience could not have been improved upon.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-27 Person 3 5 0

I though on an individual basis all of the staff I encountered were caring and kind and carried ou their jobs to a high standard despite the obvious shortage of staff. The nurses and health care assistants did a stellar job. Just as I was going to have a CT scan it was decided that I needed to take a pregnancy test because I couldn't confirm that I was definitely not pregnant. So I was wheeled into the corridor outside the CT scanner room, a screen was partially placed in front of me and I was asked to pee in the tiniest cup imaginable. This had to be one of the most mortifying moments in my life with people walking past with a good view through the gaps in the curtain and somebody on the other side of the curtain asking loudly in earshot of the people walking up in the corridor if I was done yet. Eventually I was wheeled back to my ward where I took the pregnancy test and had the ct scan later on. At all other times I was treated with dignity and respect but this was the lowest point of my stay. On the other hand the staff on the ward were very accommodating when I did not wish to use a bed pan and made arrangements for me to be wheeled to the bathroom instead. The porters were always very friendly and efficient. The ward was cleaned to a high standard. The physio therapy team were great and did everything in their power to get me home as fast as possible. There was a wide choice of food available on the menu. I was offered a hot drink very frequently. I was very very very disappointed when the morning after my operation I was not visited by the consultant/doctor or anyone on the team who carried out my surgery (and it was a week day). I only spoke to a doctor post operation at my insistence just as I was discharged. However I would have liked to have been told if my operation had gone well and exactly what they did especially since I was told they wouldn't know exactly what they would do in the surgery until they got in there. It felt as though no one was responsible for my care and I felt very let down and as if no one cared. Especially as the other patients around me were visited by doctors every morning. Overall my stay was good despite the two issues and I imagine the issues I encountered were probably due to shortage of staff so in the circumstances I wpiuld recommend the service.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-26 Person 4 5 0

I was a visitor (daughter) and from my viewpoint All staff were very committed to doing their very best in difficult circumstances, considering the various needs of the elderly in the ward. Staff were patient, kind and understanding but sadly there were drawbacks due to not enough staff being around when a number of patients needed attention at the same time. Sometimes more than one staff member was required for a particular duty. They came as quickly as they could but patients were not always able to understand the delay and could panic. I can only praise the staff for all their help and more should be done to help them in their work so they can continue to giuve excellent service.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-25 Person 5 5 0

All staff very professional and friendly.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-25 Person 4 5 0

The contact with medical staff is excellent however this department seems underfunded/staffed. I waited 9 months for a 3 month follow up appointment and following today’s appointment was unable to book the next 3 month review. I understand the pressure the NHS is under and rather than be negative would welcome ideas of how the public could help ease this situation

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-25 Person 4 5 0

I cannot fault the care I received. All staff were very kind and the consultant took time to answer any questions I had. The downside is that this hospital is very confusing and so large. Very long walk to eye department and there always seems to be a very long wait to see the consultant. The initial process is fairly quick, though. The waiting room is cramped and hot. Not suitable for us elderly. My daughter always accompanies me and she is completing this questionnaire. I think the eye department has been overlooked when the hospital revamp took place. Please can it be next in the list.

Queen Alexandra Hospital 2018-04-25 Person 5 5 0

Very efficient friendly service. Everything explained clearly. Obviously a very busy department but very quick service today. Just for information when I entered the code 1486 from my paper form electronically it comes up as eye paediatrics.

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.