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

My wife is on a waiting list following a referral from her GP (things were missed by the doctors and she had to push for them to look again) - the waiting list is apparently over a year! I don't like to get political but the tories seem to be running the NHS down. Only the wealthy are sorted as they can pay and go private, often seeing the same doctor, but much quicker. She, and we, have been messed around with poor communication, broken processes and one hand not knowing what the other is doing. While attending earlier treatment, including inpatient for the same issues, samples were lost. There were too few staff (medication having to be administered by a lone nurse when two should be present and so on. Plus she caught COVID whilst there. On other occasions she turned up for confirmed appointments only to be told she wasn't down on the list! Chaotic? It's a shambles Franky.

There is complete lack of information given to me about Macular degeneration. When I received the diagnosis, that was it. I have found the Macular society myself and that was purely by accident. Do need to get a better magnifying glass, but no one helps.

I had my baby in 2020, it was a stressful birth and my baby was taken from me as soon as he was born, when he was given back to me nothing was communicated to me about why he was taken, I was traumatised. I recall the midwives were talking with each other but not with me or even keeping me informed. I remember that the gas and air ran out but again nothing was said to me. It was not a positive experience at all.

I had to stay in hospital for a short while whilst having a knee procedure carried out. I thought the staff were very good at what they did but just work overloaded too much. Their attitudes remained good and calm even when I noticed that certain one or two patients would speak rudely to them which I did not like, they were clearly struggling to deal with the amount of things they had to do with the amount of staff on shift, I just felt sorry for them.

I was referred with skin cancer on my leg, I asked them at the time if they could do it without a skin graft, the plastic surgeon came and they decided if it was needed where they would take the skin from. During the process, I remained awake and they decided that they could join the existing skin together rather than have a skin graft. I thought that the whole process went very well and the team were professional at all times. Not long after I found another lump on another area on my leg and again I was referred back to the same team and this time the cancer was burned off, fantastic surgeon. Both of these procedures done under cancer day surgery.

My husband was taken into hospital by ambulance, he was a very unwell man and we knew this. It was also during COVID, so I wasn't able to go with him. But staff were very good. Because of his condition he was put on end of life care and we were asked if we wanted to go in to see him, the staff could not have been any better, it was a difficult situation and the staff were very very good. When my husband did pass away the Butterfly bereavement staff reassured and comforted me by letting me know they stayed with him the whole time. The bereavement suite was set up when I went back and I could spend time with him, we were supported excellently at that time.

Initially I was told by a consultant at west suffolk hospital that there was no issue with my knee and I should just lose weight but when I went to Ipswich hopsital the consultant said that the knee needs replacing and I was added to the wait list. I've been told that I should be seen in the next 6 months. I've found that the team here have been more switched on than at west suffolk hospital.

I could not have wished for better to staff to assist me. I was made to feel that i cared to them from the reception staff, nurse and consultant who dealt with me. i had 3 different appointments and the care i received was the same on all visits.

Following a total knee replacement I gave nothing but praise for all the physios I encountered- both whilst an inpatient and then an outpatient. Care and personal attention was always there even in the group rehabilitation sessions. I welcomed my appointments where I received reassurance and advice about my progress. Positivity and simple guidance and encouragement really helped me to persevere through those early, difficult weeks. I have been told I have a further 3 months to contact the physio team with any issues or concerns which is reassuring.

I was looked after by a nurse. She was was very attentive and thorough. I was obviously anxious about my visit. The nurse and my consultant were very reassuring. They explained everything they were doing. Thus reducing my anxiety.