West Suffolk Hospital
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Based on 1313 reviews
Reviews (1313)
Got a phone call at work
Cardiology
January 22, 2019
I got a phone call at work from my consultant (I am a nurse in another hospital). I was told I needed to come in. That was very good and impressed me. I have been stabilised (my condition is chronic) and I am being discharged today. I was told this between 11.00 and 12.00. The pharmacist attended me and sorted my meds. I will be going home without discharge papers as I will be delayed if I have to wait for these. The food has sometimes been cold when it arrives but there is a fairly good choice, particularly breakfast. No butter with my croissant though which I thought a bit strange.
Transport issues
Cardiology
January 22, 2019
I had a blood test at Thetford Health Centre before Christmas. I got a phone call at 3.00am to tell me an ambulance was on the way to bring me in to hospital because of very high calcium levels-very proactive service! The doctor told me this morning (at about 11.00) that I could go home today so I let my wife know so when wouldn't come in to visit. A female member of staff went off to sort out the paperwork and she never came back and I am told now that her shift has ended so I don't know where she got to. I have mobility issues so I have provisionally arranged for my son to travel from Harlow (where he lives) to collect my adapted car from Thetford to collect me in. This is now looking less and less likely to happen as I can't get any clear information about discharge arrangements. I have been asked if I want transport (though with the proviso that if I say yes I may still not get it) but I can't pindown all the various elements needed for me to go. EG meds/discharge letter. It is a shame as I am not now receiving any treatment and I have a hospital type bed and an electric chair at home.
My heart is the current issue
Cardiology
January 22, 2019
I have both heart and prostate issues. The prostate cancer is currently 'dormant' but will be looked at when my heart is fixed.
Housekeepers excellent
Cardiology
January 22, 2019
Housekeepers in cardiac unit are excellent - thorough and hard working. While I was on F7 some of the attitudes (of staff) were terrible. I overheard two nurses talking about an elderly patient in a very nasty way. The clinicians there talked to each other in a highly technical language. This is my first cardiac episode but clinicians talked to me as if I have a long experience. They responded well to my questions though. The food here (cardiac unit)is sometimes a bit cold but ok otherwise. If all wards were as good as this one it would be excellent. That said, I was told after breakfast that I being discharged but now (3.00pm) I am leaving without my meds. because they haven't arrived and I will have to be brought back this evening to collect them.
Communication has been poor generally
Ward G3
January 22, 2019
I was in G3 for a few days (before being transferred to Cardiac Unit). Communication was generally poor. A guy in our bay was told he was being sent home at three in the afternoon. He prepared himself and his family arrived to take him home. His medications never arrived from the pharmacy and his family had to go home and leave him in the bed for another night!
It all feels much better (in cardiology)
Cardiology
January 22, 2019
I have been in hospital for 10 days (over Christmas/New Year) in various wards waiting for a bed in the cardiac unit to become available. In F3 the food arrived an stood in a cabinet for an hour getting cold before it was served. the information that I have been given has changed regularly. At one point I was being transferred to Papworth and then I wasn't. Things were always changing. I haven't had an treatment at all so far. I was told a one stage that I was being discharged home-then that changed as well. It all feels somehow better now that I am in the cardiac unit, I am waiting for an angiogram but I don't know where/when that will happen. The frustrating thing is that I understand that things change it is just that I haven't been told at the time a decision was taken only when I ask when whatever it is(discharge/transfer) will be happening am I told that there has been a change.
Attended A&E on a Sunday afternoon
Accident and emergency services
January 21, 2019
Within 25 minutes of arriving and my details logged into the system by the reception team, I was seen by nurse specialist who checked out my ailment, reassured my concerns & gave me a tetanus jab, then I was discharged, all within half an hour. Everyone was polite, friendly and absolutely professional, incredible service, thank you very much.
Expert emergency care, and good after care.
Gynaecology
January 17, 2019
My partner suffered an ectopic pregnancy and almost died from blood loss. The emergency team were excellent, as was the surgical team. All very professionally done.
Staff caring and professional
General Surgery
January 16, 2019
Doctors and staff were very caring and professional.
I am a gluten-free vegetarian allergic to eggs. I know this is not an easy option for the kitchen staff! The vegetarian menu list has been done away with, and I was offered a gluten-free menu - the dishes were mainly meat options. I could only order soup, gluten-free bread and sweets for the two days I was a patient there.
There were also two young people in our bay who had noisy friends in for most of the day. There was no control over visiting hours - which was desperately needed!
I am a gluten-free vegetarian allergic to eggs. I know this is not an easy option for the kitchen staff! The vegetarian menu list has been done away with, and I was offered a gluten-free menu - the dishes were mainly meat options. I could only order soup, gluten-free bread and sweets for the two days I was a patient there.
There were also two young people in our bay who had noisy friends in for most of the day. There was no control over visiting hours - which was desperately needed!
Care Coordinator very well informed
Gastrointestinal and Liver services
January 10, 2019
Visited two of our residents who are in hospital. The Care Coordinator available could use the computer to give me details of their care and knew the residents. Excellent, prompt service.
