Springfield Hospital

Reply from Ramsay Healthcare UK Operations Limited
Fri, 21 Dec 2018 09:49:04 Z

We are sorry that you and your stepson feel you have had an unsatisfactory experience in the Springfield Hospital. Our primary concerns are to meet the needs of every patient. On receipt of a booking request from a surgeon, a number of checks are undertaken to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are in place to proceed. In respect of services for children and young people there are very specific requirements, including a designated paediatric nurse to care for the patient post operatively and this type of procedure would require additional attention over the Christmas period for follow up care and dressings etc. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the hospital was unable to staff our paediatric ward due to sickness on the day requested. We are very sorry for the late notice of cancellation. The decision was taken in the best interest of the patient and it would have been remiss of the Hospital to proceed when all the necessary support was not in place. However, we did make every effort to have the procedure completed the next day with our sister hospital and felt that this was reasonable under the circumstances and pleased that the Surgeon was able to accommodate this arrangement

I had the option to chose coming to springfiled over other nhs hospitals and clinics nearer home but as the wait time was less , I chose Springfield . Every area was immaculately clean and I felt I was treated really well and was informed of every detail of my surgery . Every shift ,the nurse looking after me came and introduced themselves ,as did physio, doctors and pharmacy . I felt very at ease having one nurse looking after me ,as it was nice to see a familiar face . The way the nurse accompanies you to and from theatre is really nice and I did not feel at all nervous . The room was very spacious and clean but the light controls and the safety boxes did not work for the whole of my stay . (Room 38) The food menu was nice and varied , at first I thought it was only a choice of sandwiches , jacket potatoes or omelettes for lunch and dinner , until I noticed the specials of the day . The catering staff were friendly and always asked where I would like to eat and moved the table for me . The food was lovely and nice size portions . There wasnt a Morning tea trolley as such but I didnt realise you could ring and asked for a cuppa whenever you wanted . The patience and kindness of the Nursing team is outstanding ! However I was very aware of how overworked and short staffed they are ! I was surprised by this in a private hospital ! On the day of my operation there was only one porter and the anaesthetist and the theatre staff were not happy that they had to wait for my nurse and a porter to bring me to theatre for 40 mins after they had called for me ! The poor nurse was rushed off her feet with other patients ! The after care again was outstanding and nothing was too much trouble .i especially felt at ease that my dignity , after an intimate operation ,was respected so well . One evening my caterer was quite full and the nurse in charge of me , said she would come back to change it but she did not come back , again due to being overworked . After another hour I was becoming uncomfortable and asked another passing nurse about it ! She said the night staff would be along soon , but I still was waiting for another hour or more , by which time it was very full and I was in discomfort ! The nurse assigned to be was so apologetic when she saw it and said she was aware it was full but could not get to me as she was dealing with other patients , she wasnt happy about this situation . On discharge , again the staff were over worked and I was discharged without any paperwork or guidance on what I can and cannot do , again the nurse was apologetic and said can isend it to you in the post . Overall my experience was very good . I Cannot fault any of the staff ! but theyre clearly overworked and understaffed and I do not know how mistakes are not being made and how they keep so patient and lovely

I was referred to the pain management clinic, having experienced years of back and leg pain. Using a TENS machine worked to an extent, but I decided to take the advice of the consultant and said I would like to see if injections would stop the pain. This was not an easy decision, as I am a needlephobe, but the pain had got to the stage where my life was limited in what I could do. On arrival at the hospital I was greeted by a pleasant receptionist and was then escorted to my own room, which was spacious, had an en-suite shower/toilet room, TV and very comfortable bed. A lovely nurse was assigned to me and went through a thorough check list and said the consultant would be with me soon. She arrived not long after and saw how nervous I was, but talked me through the procedure and the sedation I had opted for. Her team in theatre were great - very professional, good humoured and calming - exactly what I needed. I had a diagnostic medial branch block procedure - the first step to seeing if this would work for me. My fear of needles was unnecessary, as I really didnt feel much. The consultant is an incredibly kind, experienced woman and the procedure was quick and efficient. After the recovery room I went back to my own room where I was given tea and toast, which was very welcome. Later that day I noticed that the back pain had gone - it worked! Before the procedure, the consultant had said she hoped I would have an enjoyable experience, which she, her team and nursing staff ensured I had.