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Written by a patient
4th August 2013


The Acute Surgical Unit at RLI is amazing. Beds are in constant demand: so much so that, as soon as one patient is discharged, their bed is stripped, the bay is thoroughly cleansed/disinfected, the bed re-made and another patient installed within 5 to 10 minutes maximum. In spite of the high turnover, patients are not made to feel under any pressure at all and each and every person is treated with the highest level of care and dignity. Pain relief is managed sensibly so that, if you decline medication when the drugs trolley is dispensing, you are urged to 'buzz' if you find you need some later. Anti nausea drugs are dispensed where necessary and these help enormously in alleviating the pain and discomfort associated with surgical conditions. I have given maximum marks for each question apart from "timely information about care and treatment" for which I have only given 4 stars because there can be small delays in passing on these details. However, this seems to be due purely to the number of patients, the variety of conditions and the enormous pressure on the overworked staff. There are a few small niggles - the food is patchy (soup is normally too salty; tea is invariably navvy's strength) and there are no medicines available for minor ailments eg post operative itchiness - but these can be overcome with a little forward planning and/or improvisation. I was very impressed that each and every member of the staff on ASU worked as part of 'the team'. There were no demarcation lines (apart from those determined by qualifications) and, if there was a dirty cup to be moved, then anyone from the cleaner to the ward manager was willing to 'do the necessary'. RLI has been criticised in recent weeks as a 'failing' hospital but several of us in ASU agreed that, if RLI is a failing hospital, then the top hospitals must be equivalent to 5 star hotels!

Recommend
Dignity/Respect
Involvement
Information
Cleanliness
Staff