Good Hope Hospital

In late July 2020 I attended Good Hope Hospital A & E with acute urinary retention. I was in agony and was seen very quickly by staff who fitted a catheter. I was impressed with the kindness shown and the speed with which I received much needed help and advice. I was sent home later the same day and given a letter with telephone numbers to ring if I needed any help or advice following catheterisation and pending contact from the Urology Department. Everything went completely silent for several weeks! No calls from the District Nursing Team as promised by A & E and no contact from the Urology Department. The telephone numbers on the letter handed to me on discharge were useless. I could never get anyone to answer and eventually sat on the telephone for SEVERAL HOURS ringing round NHS departments trying to find someone, somewhere who could give me the advice I needed. I eventually tracked down a member of the Good Hope Urology nursing team who was brilliant. I was in need of catheter supplies which my GP was unable to prescribe and she was able to supply them. I had resorted to buying what I needed on Amazon! I also received the reassurance I needed when the nurse with whom I spoke offered to try and see what had happened with my 'paperwork' - presumably computer records - since my visit to A & E. She eventually contacted a Urology Consultant (at Heartlands) who was on his way to Solihull Hospital and said he would make contact with me. He eventually did. He said he would put me on his list for prostate surgery and his opening remarks were "Would you prefer laser surgery, or a TURP?" My response was "Don't you think it would be a good idea to have someone examine me and carry out a few tests before deciding that I need surgery?" He agreed (!) and I subsequently visited Good Hope for a series of scans. I then had a telephone call (about 8.00pm on a Friday evening) to say that the scans were 'inconclusive' and requesting that I attend a few days later for another scan. Inconclusive for what? The following week I had another couple of hours on the telephone and after speaking with a helpful lady in the Radiology Department and the Secretary to the Urology Consultant (the Consultant was now working from home) was told that the size of my prostate had not been obvious from the scan. I rang Radiology and the Senior Radiologist looked at the scans and said the size of my prostate was completely visible from the scan but the Consultant had not asked for this information! I asked if he would pass the results through to Urology. He did so, by Email, the same day. Everything then went quiet as the Urology Consultant had gone on holiday. I could say much more but I realise we have been through a pandemic and the NHS has been under unprecedented pressure. What my experience has revealed is that there is a significant disconnect between A & E, GP's surgeries and specialist departments within the NHS and, at times, patients are left completely in the dark. Had it not been for the help of the Urology Nursing Team, some of whom had worked on the wards during the pandemic, I would have been left with an unsuitable catheter for longer than advised and would not have been called in for a trial without catheter. After being catheterised for more than two months and still not having any clear explanation of what was going on, I eventually paid £250 for a private consultation and was told in 45 minutes - after a thorough examination and scan - exactly what my problem was and how it could be treated. I eventually paid for private surgery in November 2020 and have now made a full recovery. I remain a big fan of the NHS but, given my recent experience, wonder what happens to those patients who are not willing or able to press for information or insist on promised calls being returned.
Prize Draw Data – 14/4/21

Excellent service from start to finish

Major cut to a finger, required stitching but hospital said they could not do it as no GP service to take stitches out. When enquiring with neighbours of whom is a doctor and 2 nurses this was questioned. Walsall Manor hospital offered a follow surgery for matters such as these. The cut took much longer to heal and restricted ability to work.

Good experience.

Horrific

Long waits for appointments and tests

Unable to visit my husband who has made distressing phone calls to me. Not enough liaison ie calling when change of plan concerning discharge. Promise of medic to phone me regarding update of husbands treatment but no call made. Calls to ward not picked up or a 20 minute wait to be answered.

The experience was fantastic couldn't ask for a better service.

I was referred after an operation on my hand as I developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Staff has helped me get my hand working again. I commend them both.

Good service recieved at A&E.