Dear Editor,

TOO often our NHS services are being criticised and berated for poor service, poor delivery etc, however, I would like to pass on my sincerest thanks to Princess Alexandra Hospital for their excellent service and management of my injury following my recent visit.

From the very moment I arrived in A&E I was treated with kindness and respect by the receptionists and was assisted to the waiting area where the A&E reception staff kept me informed. I was triaged immediately and taken into the Dr for assessment. The Dr saw me struggling and came over to take my bag. As soon as I told him what had happened, he recognised the severity of my injury and laid me flat on the trolley. The nurses in triage were professional and attentive managing to insert a cannula with speed and skill into an arm that is notoriously difficult to canulate. The porter came to move me to majors and, on the way, we were met with an angry disgruntled patient and the porter acted swiftly to ensure I was kept safe the entire time.

Everywhere I was taken to be treated whilst in A&E I was treated with respect and kindness from the nurses, Drs, porters, radiologists, CT and MRI staff and when I was advised that I had fractured my spine and strapped to the bed, the terrified me, fell apart.

I was moved onto Penn ward, and I knew I’d be looked after by amazing staff. Penn has an incredible reputation for excellent nursing standards and care. I spent six months on Penn 25years ago so I speak with experience.

I don’t have to tell you how hard the nursing staff work on the wards. Long hours, constantly on their feet attending to the medical needs of the patients, reassuring relatives and Penn ward is no exception. IV’s and meds were always delivered on time, and nothing was too much trouble for them. Ward Manager Anna Mawbey works tirelessly to ensure a smooth running for all patients and staff and Sister Alison whose humour lights up the ward each time she enters. Thank you for the smiles and laughs. You’ve not changed in the 25years.

Too often the bulk of the praise goes to the Drs and to the qualified staff and quite rightly they deserve definite recognition, but also, so do the domestic staff in particular Sally who recognised and remembered me from my previous lengthy stay.

The Health Care assistants who by my reckoning are the modern day SEN’s who carry out the bulk of patient care and needs etc. Bedside washes, assisted showers, assisted washes, TED stockings, making and changing beds, walks to the bathroom, meal delivery etc. Usually there are two to three HCA’s for 16 patients so they were kept very busy. Despite being so busy they were always professional, friendly and fun.

With these ladies’ permissions, I would like to name each one of the HCA’s on Penn ward and thank them sincerely for their exemplary care, kindness, fun, for their time and dedication.

So, Kathy, Cara, Rishfana, Mel, Tracey, Lisa, Susan, Tarfe, Kinga, Anya and Gemma, this is for you with my deepest and sincerest thanks. You made my 16day stay as pleasurable and as funny and possible.

Without your love, care and wicked sense of humour, my stay would have been a lot less entertaining. (Let’s just mention Tom Jones & Liam Neeson. If you know, you know! Ha Ha!!)

Ward Manager Anna, you are to be congratulated on your ward. You run a tight and yet fun ship.

Thank you, sincerely, thank you. You all deserve the recognition and my heartfelt thanks.

Jennifer Steadman: Bed No 121