Royal South Hants Hospital

"I feel bad that 3 stars was the best that I could give. I got in to the Urgent treatment Center (UTC) with a dislocated and fractured shoulder. The triage took about 30 minutes. I came in at 12:52pm so by 13:30 I was in triage. Since it was a dislocation, the region was swollen very badly and I could only rest myself in one particular position. I was in a lot of pain and was feeling light headed. I made this very clear to the receptionist. The waiting area had no place to sit and despite seeing my condition, and that I was in a lot of pain and without a sling, no one, I repeat, not a single “heathy” person gave space for me to sit down (healthy people in the UTC waiting area were those who accompanied patients or those who had to act as translators). That was absolutely appalling. I think they should make it clear that patients are the priority. Anyway, after 13:30 triage, my next call back was at 16;00 for the X-Ray. I sat for 2.5h in an awkward position because of the dislocation and (at that time, potential fracture) biting through my pain when I saw people, who came in after me, who were healthy enough to stand, chat away happily on the phone, go inside for treatment before me. That was quite painful to watch. So much so that a patient who did her registration at 15:30, had triage at 15:45 and X-Ray just before me. I was very distressed. I asked the initial examination practitioner to give me some pain relief (I mean, shouldn’t he recommend this to me when he did the triage and saw me biting through the pain?). Anyway, X ray was done, they decided to fix the dislocation and then did a few more XRays and told me it was a fracture. The follow up from fixing the dislocation at around 16:30 to telling me it was a fracture at 17:15, things went by a little more smoothly. Dr. Ward did a fine job of helping me. Overall, my feedback would be a better initial examiner who could potentially send in emergency cases first (it was not just me as most of you reading might be thinking that I’m biased towards myself but I spoke to a woman and her child who had a head injury and they were waiting for triage for SO long. There were three more such cases who looked visibility in distress and required urgent treatment but were sidelined for a later time). Secondly great job on the treatment. I was taken care of very well once the initial fiasco was over. Thirdly, a better system for patients to sit down and those who aren’t patients to wait outside."

"Went for an initial consultation for NHS hip replacement surgery. Extremely efficient process, appointment on time and we were looked after by a lovely Nursing Assistant, Rose. Thank you, one and all."

"Had a procedure in the Endoscopy unit, the staff were simply outstanding. Upon arrival I was made to feel immensely comfortable, the staff actually cared about what came out of my mouth as opposed to visits at other hospitals in the past. Thank you to all the wonderful staff at RSHH"

"Really friendly and genuinely caring staff. I went in with a sprained ankle. I was triaged within 30 mins and within an hour or so I'd had an x-ray and was able to go home with some good advice from the lovely nurse. I am so so grateful for the NHS and it's wonderful staff. Those that moan should think about how much something like this would have cost in America for example. Overall a really good experience (aside from the sprain of course)"

"I have been treated for skin cancer in the dermatology department since September. I have had 2 surgeries, the second was yesterday. The surgeon and the two nurses yesterday, were outstanding. They came from other areas ( the surgeon came from Bournemouth) but you would think that they had worked as a team for years. 3 words to describe them: professional, dedicated, kind. Because of the surgeons skill, I have had no bleeding and very little pain. The NHS have been there for me at an anxious time. It is full of very kind and dedicated people. My sincere thanks to all those in the dermatology department. You are amazing."