James Paget Hospital

I have ongoing appointments at ENT clinic. I have never been seen on the time of my appointment. I am aware that they put on the board how long they are running behind. I have waited up to two hours in the past. Today was 30 minutes. If you are late you are re-scheduled but as they run late I do not know why they do this.

The community eye screening service is a great local service. Waiting times are good, i'm seen quickly and its much easier than going to the hospital. I receive a letter after the appointment to let me know the results and I'm seen every three months.

I had a cataract operation at James Paget and the service from start to finish was brilliant.

Had a cataract operation. Arrived 7.30am left by 10.30am. The whole procedure from start to finish was A+. Also the after care.

I was taken here by ambulance on Good Friday to a&e whilst on holiday. All the staff were fantastic, kind and went out of their way to ensure I was cared for.

I was passing blood and an ambulance took me into A&E. My hearing aid had been removed by the paramedics but I did not know where it was. I was then moved from A&E to another ward (cannot recall which one). I was not given my hearing aid back and I asked where was it, and no one told me. My walking frame was taken from me and so I was confined to the bed. I was then moved again and ended up in the stroke ward for 3 days. I was trying to tell them that I had a stroke 6 years ago and was not in for that. they did not listen.
As my family live abroad I had no one to talk on my behalf. My daughter did get there for a day when I was going home (after 10 days of being in). Two weeks after I was home I found a holdall that I had not unpacked and in it was a bag of medication. 2 tablets I have never had before was in there. No one had told me or my daughter about it. I did not take it as I was unsure if it was an error. I figured if I had not had it for the last 2 weeks, and did not feel any problems then they may have been given me in error.
Basic communication errors.
I am still suffering with my shoulder as they manhandled me during my stay.

Gentleman in for 10 days, has no family at home and had still mobility issues was not assessed before being taken home.

I have a general comment to make. When you go for a specific 'out patient' service such as x-ray or a clinic, the staff are great. However, when you stay on a ward the care is not there. I do think it may be down to too much paper work. If you look at the nurses station, you see them all there with heads down filling in paperwork. You do not see them on the ward itself, that is sad for them, and the service (so called).

After calling the 111 service at 16:06 on a Sunday afternoon due to a personal matter and concern I was told to await a call from an on call GP. I was told this could be up to 2 hours. 15 minutes later I had spoken to the GP and had an appointment at the hospital booked. He gave me 17:00 as I had to get from Lowestoft but could have had it slightly earlier if I was closer. His examination was profession and thorough and told me that although he felt what had happened was not that serious and no real reason for concern he still wanted me to see a doctor from the hospital to have a blood test among other tests. This was referred through A&E, which fortunately wasn't overly busy. 20 minutes or so later the A&E junior doctor was ready to see me. After a secondary examination from her and more test including blood test. I had a very informal chat the the junior doctor who examined me and many of my concerns were put to rest. I was asked to return to the waiting area whilst the blood sample was being tested. Some of the results came back and I was promptly given an ecg by a nurse who was also extremely professional and caring. Shortly after that I was called back to see the junior doctor. All the test results had came back and only one concerned her. For this she prescribed me a 2 day course of medicine to bring up the levels in question up. I left the hospital at 19:30. 3 hours and 30 minutes after I initially called 111. I would say the system and the staff were superb.

Staff very friendly and good, but I found some of them difficult to hear due to my deafness and their accents. Very isolating when communication is difficult - more fundamental than most clinical tasks I feel.
Overall, under the circumstances a stressfree experience.
Improvements: more tea, better food, wifi - it's so boring , someone to show you exercises ... very stiff and sore