Woking Community Hospital

Woking Community Hospital 2021-06-02 Person 5 5 0

I broke my arm shoulder down in October, as the bone healed I was left with next to no movement, due to having a frozen shoulder as a consequence of the break. I found myself unable to work, and I live alone, so it was a very dark place during lockdown I found myself in. I had physio consultancies with Ellie at Woking Community Hospital, and she was nothing short of fantastic! Diagnosing exactly where the problem lied, and keeping in touch with me regularly to check on my progress. The exercises were stepped up accordingly through each phase. Within 3 weeks I'd regained a lot of movement, and went back to my desk job, I got my life back! Ellie is the complete professional at what she does .I honestly could not have found a better treatment anywhere.

Woking Community Hospital 2021-04-03 Person 1 5 0

Many of the staff were very good. However, there were one or two HCAs that bullied the elderly patients, were overtly aggressive and made them cry. All staff seem to think that the use of gloves made them nuclear blast proof, whilst distributing potential infection from bed to bed. One was sent on an infection prevention course and then proceeded to pass around tea cups with her fingers in the bowls, two days later. The doctors were dreadful overall, except for the consultant, Dr Williams. Not reporting or investigating potential illnesses and then “forgetting” those discussions with patients. It’s a cushy job for doctors - regular daily hours and no weekends or nights. Then GPS are on call. The daily doctors repeatedly forgot what they’d agreed in their rounds two days beforehand for the same patient and then didn’t do anything to check and fulfil their agreed treatment. So patients’ treatment was delayed. Prescribing medication was the answer for everything, doubling the dose of meds when they were not seen to work within a couple of days. Addiction to painkillers followed. Just what the doctor ordered. What the doctors said to patients contrasted with the written referrals for investigations, blaming the patient for the investigation. The head physio was ok and the physio assistants were great. The other physio was arrogant and aggressive until she realised there really was a problem. Social workers were a nightmare. Enough to give you a nervous breakdown. On the surface politically correct, offensively so, but underneath just trying to find out by any means what savings patients had in the bank. Underhand and mean, using any means to get patients to sign to give access to their houses whilst they were in hospital and going against relatives’ wishes. Patients suffered because of their incompetence. If patients didn’t agree with them, by not agreeing to their demands to be seen daily until you gave in to their demands, they told clinical staff you were depressed and the clinical staff prescribed even more meds. The radiographer was excellent, efficient and very friendly. The shining light of hope was the Irish occupational therapist. A rare normal considerate human being in the whole place, which otherwise was like a far fetched horror movie. The food was OK but pork pie and salad defeats having a salad. Patients were photographed repeatedly at mealtimes by persons unknown for unknown intentions. So much for privacy and respect. There was undue pressure to participate in mealtimes with other patients. All presumably to demonstrate the happy atmosphere in the hospital. The photographs would not reveal the correct picture. Access to the TV later in the evenings was restricted to the favourite patients. Others were discouraged from leaving their ward. In one instance, the hospital didn’t have any skin cream for an elderly patient with a bad skin rash - it never arrived - and there was only one enema for the two wards of c. 60 patients all taking pain killers, which cause constipation. One ward often begged for treatments from the other ward. There are many passive aggressive notices everywhere proclaiming that patients are treated with privacy, dignity, respect, etc. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially from senior and some other staff. The daily HCAs were mostly very good. A couple were outstanding but always got into trouble for trying to be more caring - and happy. Jealousy between staff and petty feuds abounded, concentrated in one or two HVAs, with patients getting caught up in it. A nasty HCA went to matron with a petty complaint just to drop a nice colleague in it. The nasty one was believed as she sucked up to senior staff, but treated everyone else, including patients, abysmally. Sometimes she didn’t speak and stood for ages with crossed her arms in front of you or got into your face if you dared to request a commode. Her version of civility was, “what you want?” But then muttering that the patients were a waste of her time and were so stupid that they shouldn’t be admitted to that hospital just to aggravate her. (Most of the patients were hard of hearing.) Some old ladies were astounding in their ability to control this nasty HCA. “Back off, matey. I’ve seen off worse than you in the war.” It’s true, some of the regular night staff were a bit brusque, but they were far better than some of the day staff that also did nights. There was one night sister who was superb, very efficient and got the meds for her patients that were needed when scarce. There was a farce about the provision of NHS gowns, even when patients arrived, often readmitted, unexpectedly with no clothing. A couple of nurses were not very efficient using aseptic techniques for wound dressings. Some not experienced, one screaming at the sight of one injury and flinching whenever she saw it. This does not give patients much confidence. One qualified senior nurse was very aggressive and threatening. Staff had to distract management to purloin gowns from the restricted access linen cupboard for patients who’d arrived with nothing. Presumably washing the gowns costs the hospital money. Altogether, I would not recommend this hospital to my worst enemy, despite the few lovely staff that helped patients get through the day. Most patients are very elderly, hard of hearing and often have dementia. Some are aggressive due to the dementia but very few. Altogether, most cannot give feedback or protect themselves from aggression, albeit these incidents were few, thankfully. I hope the new matron has sorted out the truly dire situation, especially as formal complaints don’t amount to anything. If doctors are that forgetful about potentially serious symptoms that patients describe to them, then they shouldn’t be practising.

Woking Community Hospital 2021-03-07 Person 5 5 0

Excellent care from Alexandra ward and wonderful staff and food enjoyable .

Woking Community Hospital 2021-02-11 Person 5 5 0

The physio, Helen, who advised me this morning was very thorough, efficient, friendly and helpful - couldn't have been better; especially under the circumstances in which she is, at the moment forced to work (i.e. on video call because of covid restrictions).

Woking Community Hospital 2021-01-29 Person 5 5 0

I had a few virtual sessions with Anne Monk in June 2020. She was great with her advice and helped me a lot. She has a great attitude and is very supportive. Thank you so much!

Woking Community Hospital 2021-01-23 Person 5 5 0

James Welch and his assistant carried out my son's nail surgery and were very friendly and explained every step of the procedure to re-assure us. The appointment given was very fast especially in the current circumstances, very impressed.

Nothing, cannot fault the service

Woking Community Hospital 2020-08-21 Person 5 5 0

I was seen by Claire for physio following a left hip replacement on 19 November 2019 I was very pleased with Claire for giving me her time to explain everything. I had a few sessions which were very helpful. Unfortunately the sessions came to a halt following the Covid 19. However I have been in contact with Claire by email. I have explained that I have made a full recovery and do not feel that any more sessions are necessary. She has agreed to sign me off

Woking Community Hospital 2020-07-19 Person 5 5 0

All care was very good, staff excellent, kind, caring. Food was very good would like to stay.

Woking Community Hospital 2020-07-19 Person 5 5 0

Woking Community Hospital 2020-07-19 Person 5 5 0