West Suffolk Hospital

Despite getting updated reminders of my telephone consultation I was not called, when I phone up to find out when I would be called I was informed that everyone in that department had gone home and that they could see from the phone list everyone was called other than me

I have issues with my cholesterol and it was suggested that I try some new injections being trialed but after they were delivered to me I checked and due to an allergy I have it is advised that I shouldn't have the injections, so these had to be returned to the hospital and destroyed which is a bit of a waste of money. I was then given a different drug to try. These sat in my fridge for two months as I needed someone to show me how to administer them. I can understand the strain the service is under and the care I normally receive is excellent but these recent issues are concerning.

My appt for a colonoscopy was sent to me within 2 weeks of my GP making a referral and immediately I had a call from the Endoscopy nurse to advise me of the procedure, preparation and what to expect on the day of the investigation. The Information booklet and letter gave details that were totally comprehensive yet simple to follow and reduced my anxiety and gave me confidence to prepare for the day of the procedure.
I want to express my gratitude and praise for the whole Endoscopy team - receptionist, nurses, assistants and doctors - each of whom treated me with friendliness, respect and dignity as an individual, each one had a friendly, professional manner, introducing themselves by name, explaining their role and what each stage of the procedure would be and what I had to expect. Personal details were explained sensitively, at no point did I feel I had been left out of the picture.
I especially appreciated the respectful approach during the procedure itself with clear explanations of what to expect, what I had to do, what I would experience and what I saw on the screen; they were open to my questions and at no time was I ignored. They anticipated my needs, taking care of my glasses - and remembering to return them. In a way I felt I was part of the team when being asked about adjusting my insulin pump when they had concerns about equipment that might be used with it. The team work, the happy conversation to keep my mind off the discomfort and dignity maintained throughout was exemplary.
The team structure with each staff member being competent in each role and sharing the various roles showed a well run team and the close teamwork indicated a very well run department and I can't thank them enough,

I had gestational diabetes and the consultant I saw lacked bedside care, they seemed to be blaming me for it. Unfortunately, I ended up seeing them more often than the midwife who was really lovely, it wasn't a great experience.

Staff are really supportive and provide good care and the communication with my GP surgery has been very good.

I have no issues with the hospital. The care I get from the kind staff has been great and the diabetic care excellent and so supportive.

I had my baby at the hospital and it was clear they were very busy and they were stretched on the ward. I had hardly any breastfeeding support on the ward, it was mainly given at home afterwards. The staff were very nice and friendly as were the community midwives I saw.

The diabetic nurses at the hospital are very good and I've been given great advice and support.

The midwives were able to guide me through labour and ensure my baby safely arrived. There were a few complications during labour and all professionals involved listened to my wishes but ensured both myself and baby were kept safe.

I had my second born baby in April 2020 at the start of the lockdown and could not fault the care I received it really was amazing the staff were very caring and I felt cared for and not like a number in a system especially as my husband could not come into the hospital whilst I was induced right up until I was on the labour suite. Huge shout out to XXXXX who saw me through the last hardest hours of my labour and after labour. Such a caring midwife for me my baby and also my husband.
My third baby was born august 2021. Restrictions were in place but this time my husband was allowed in the normal ward where I was induced. I didn’t get a choice of induction method like before. I was given a hormone induction this time. It kicked in extremely quick and I had a very uncomfortable night with just paracetamol. When asking for stronger I was finally given oramorph which didn’t touch the sides. The doctor eventually came round and allowed a higher dosage but I still wasn’t given it. After being told I hadn’t dilated at all all night I needed a break and requested the induction tampon taken out. It was explained it may have to be re inserted if contractions stopped and I agreed but then was explained this same thing over again by 2 more people. I was examined again and was now all of a sudden 3cm. They took it out finally, and without explanation I was taken straight over to delivery. Once settled just a short while later the midwife examined me and now very quickly I was 7cm. I continued to struggle, all the pain in my back I knew baby was back to back as I had exactly the same with both previous babies. The emergency button was pushed more than once this time and one of these my babies heart rate had completely stopped (he had a heart monitor clipped to his head) I had previously asked for an Epidural whilst on the other ward and she said to me I’d get one once over and settled. They didn’t call the anaesthetist for a long time and it was around 3 and a half hours before I received it but bu this time it had completely failed. I didn’t feel very listened to. With both my previous inductions, I had all the same issues leading up to their birth and ended up having assistance via forceps and ventouse with them. I was shattered, no sleep for over 72 hours, and scared due to knowing my sons heart rate had stopped. The midwife stood at the end of the room at a computer the whole time rarely coming over to me where as with my previous just a year before the midwife sat right by me the whole time, chatting away to me and my husband making it a much nicer calmer experience. I desperately wanted some help, and in the end my son was born with and I quite the midwife writing in his red book ‘severe meconium’ where he was so stressed inside. Afterwards, I showered, went back to the ward and to be honest they couldn’t of tried to get rid of every one in there quick enough. Such a shame because the previous year was such a nicer approach to my care even though circumstances where similar.