Reviews
Reviews
Fantastic, efficient service
My operation eventually went very well, the only problem I had was commutation at times was lacking.
The care from all the pre-op appointments to the in-patient experience was very good indeed. Nursing staff were efficient but always on hand to help if required. The surroundings were immaculate and calm. I felt most comfortable from my admission to discharge. I certainly would recommend the hospital.
Consistent nursing care regarding administration of prescribed analgesia. Some night staff were reluctant to administer prescribed IV paracetamol suggesting oral dose was as good. This was inconsistent with patient experience and doctors advice
I slipped a disc at the end of last year and initially, not realising the severity and thinking it a trapped nerve, I went to the GP etc, and was advised to do some basic stretches and take some painkillers. Over time, the symptoms worsened and my left lower leg became numb and I couldn't stand up or walk for more than a few minutes. Prior to this, though I wasn't super fit, I had been able to run 10km in about an hour and would daily walk 10-15 km. I was put in touch with George Spink at the Spire Hull via my work's healthcare.
I first attended on April 18th. From the off, George clearly knew, from my symptoms and his examination, what the issue was and said straight away what he suspected. He referred me for a scan to confirm and to to see the extent of the issue. Though I had had similar examinations by the GP and GP physio, he was the first to show me the loss of strength in my foot/ toes, which I hadn't realised myself either.
I then attended an MRI 5 days later and the extent of the issue was obvious as laying still for 25 mins was unbearable - this is bizarre looking back on now, that I lived with such pain. The nurses were all compassionate and helpful.
The day after I was contacted to arrange a follow up with George and he saw me that Saturday morning. He showed me the MRI image that clearly showed a severe slipped disc in my lower back. He then went through the options, which included surgery. I thought this the only way to proceed, as above, I was in constant pain and taking by this time very strong painkillers that were not without side effects.
20 days after my first appointment with George (!!!!) I was in for back surgery. I felt at every moment completely looked after by all of the staff at Spire and George was amazing. He went above and beyond to explain what the procedure was going to entail, didn't shy away from the potential for complications and risks, but placed these in context and compared these to the risks of the "do nothing option", which were clear.
The day after the surgery I awoke with the pain of the wound, but absolutely no pain at all in my left leg and some feeling had already returned. Within two days I was off painkillers, and now (two months later) have never needed to take them since. I was able to walk a few kilometres in one stint within a week and can now walk as before, though my strength and stamina are diminished from the time spent inactive. Some numbness still remains but am led to believe this will reduce as the nerve regrows with time.
I honestly cannot imagine a better outcome and though I have thanked George in person, this acts as a second thankyou because he genuinely gave me my life back. My only regret is waiting as long as I did before contacting him, as the length of my rehab is proportional to how long the nerve was trapped.
Since surgery I have been attending physiotherapy with Tony Whyte, who has helped my recovery immensely!
At every turn, everyone I have come into contact with at Spire has been 5 star. Particularly George Spink, Tony Whyte and the nurses who looked after me the evening, night and morning after my operation. I couldn't fault the care at all.
Thankyou so much
Craig
I thought the hospital had a friendly atmosphere. I found the staff very friendly and caring and they put me at my ease. The place was very clean. The food was very good. No one wants to go into hospital but, if you have to I think the Spire is the best place to be.
After the operation I became aware of a drain bag under my left leg. A stand was beside the bed which I assumed it should have been suspended on. When I examined the bag and drain tube I could see an air block and the bag was rather full. When a nurse came into my room I brought her attention to the issues I have referred to above. She advised me "She was Night staff and did not deal with drain bags" and walked out the door.
I dealt with the problems myself by releasing the valve on the bottom of the drain bag and draining the contents into a lower plastic bag.
I asked for Oro-morph pain relief for post operative pain and the nurse advised she could only give me Paracetamol. I advised her that my chart showed " Pain relief on demand ". She advised I would have to wait until the day staff came on duty.
After several instances of nursing staff seeming to want get out of the door as quickly as possible I asked to speak to the Nurse in charge.
She was the first nurse to impress me with her professional attitude but could not explain why the night staff did not call for a duty Ward Sister to address my requests.
The breakfast was "poor". I expected something a little better for the price I was paying.
When I asked a nurse approx., 08.30 when I could expect to see a physio-therapist so I could arrange for my transport home she advised " the physio-therapist is on the ward now and walked out the door. When a nurse came in to take the drain tube out of my back in the afternoon I asked her when I could expect to see the physio-therapist. She advised there were lots of other patients to be seen.
I advised her to prepare my paperwork for me to discharge myself. Shortly after this a female physio-therapist came into my room and I advised I had to arrange transport home. She she advised me she was very busy and then spent 2 minutes ( literally ) advising me of what I had to do and then left.
I had a much better experience in a stay at Hull Royal Infirmary for a neck operation on the NHS some years earlier.
I would not stay in this hospital again
The Neuro Surgeon Mr Spink was excellent.
i would highly recommend spire hull, the staff put you at easy and explain everything you may ask fully and honestly.. i felt cared for snd in safe hands for my hip surgery..
Generally the care was 1st class however the administration struggled to get the information supply sorted properly for example my email had been inputted incorrectly I raised this and it still took another 3 attempts to make this right
As well as a very pleasant environment, the hospital staff are excellent, my care and surgery could not have been better and my outcome/recovery has been much better than could have been expected! From initial consultation to ongoing care, everything has been first class and I could not have been looked after any better!