Ipswich Hospital (Part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust)

The stroke unit: Staff and care have been especially good, well run. The physiotherapy were very on the ball, quick to respond and very supportive.

I was expecting the usual long wait for blood tests at Ipswich Hospital. I arrived looking for the numbered ticket but was called by the receptionist who took my blood test forms, asked me a few questions and gave me my number. While the department was reasonably full I only waited 15-20 minutes. I was told by the phlebotomist that they had changed the system because people were coming in and waiting and then having to be turned away for various reasons so the receptionist now triages people first. The phlebotomist as always was great, blood test was over in a minute and caused minimal pain and bruising.

I had to have an endoscopy at Ipswich Hospital. I was nervous about the procedure before hand and while the procedure wasn't pleasant the staff were amazing, they were kind, friendly and reassuring. I didn't have to wait long and was looked after very well.

The staff providing hand therapy are skilled and caring but the appointments system is poor, have made appts. at the desk in the clinic only to then find they've double booked for the same day and time. The therapists say the system doesn't work properly, needs sorting out.

Whilst husband who has dementia was a patient on Kesgrave Ward the staff were kind but they didn't talk much to him or to other patients in between giving out medicines. I had to fetch staff from their desk to help a patient who they could see needed help.

I had an outpatient appointment at Ipswich Hospital, I had arranged for a friend to collect me and take me to the appointment. The post arrived that morning with a cancellation letter. I telephoned the department and asked them why, they said the letter was dated for 8 days earlier but it had come all the way from Bristol as part of a cost saving exercise. They weren't able to tell me why my appointment was cancelled or give me another one, I was instructed to wait for another letter. I did eventually get another appointment by telephoning the hospital direct using a number I have saved from some years previous. I think we are very lucky in this country and its no use blaming the NHS. This is an administration error that was very inconvenient.

GP spent a whole afternoon trying to bleep our consultant and then call her secretary, then sent a fax for an "urgent response" - supposedly within 3 working days. So far, three weeks on, no call back. Eventually another, sooner outpatient appointment arrived in the post which is useful, but not on its own an appropriate response. Experience on the ward is awful, it's old and decrepit, and the bathrooms downright dangerous. They don't offer food for my allergic child either.

I attended the ENT department for an Endoscopy. I had real trouble finding the department in the first place because the signage in the hospital appears very poor.

I had a bit of a wait once I arrived (perhaps 30 - 45 minutes) but I think that is to be expected and was not a particular problem for me.

My treatment was good. The staff treated me with respect and were willing to answer any questions I had. I did not feel rushed out of the door or that I was wasting the consultants time. My only comment is that I was unaware of any other choices I had related to my treatment (e.g. pain relief). Whilst the procedure did not cause me significant distress, it was quite uncomfortable at times.

I did not have to wait long for an appointment and when I arrived I didn't have to wait long to be seen either. The consultant was kind, understanding and listened to everything I said. Following the consultation I received a copy of the letter the consultant sent to my GP, a summary of the consultation. Unfortunately the letter had been folded in such a way that the summary of my consultation were visible through the envelope window and so unfortunately my postman and everyone else who handled my letter now know what happened and why I was there! Not very impressed.

Waited about 45 minutes to see the consultant but he was very thorough, helpful and understanding. No complaints at all.