Heartlands Hospital

My elderly mother was called in due to suspected cancer. Only male gynos available with no female consultants at all. Where is patient choice here? Furthermore, she has messed about considerably regarding appointments and is too frail to be turning up either at Heartlands or Solihull hospital for scans at the whim of the staff. Communication between consultants between Heartlands and Solihull is abysmal. I cannot believe this service has not been reported before.

Helpful and friendly staff

I am a first time mother to my daughter who was born on 21st October 2014 despite my waters being broke on the 19th. I was in a lot of pain leading to the birth and was not given the care and attention due to lack of staff and "other emergencies". Eventually I underwent a C Section as my daughters life was at risk due to her being out of fluid for more than 48 hours. The epidural given was inserted in my back 3 times before the nurse got it right causing me severe pain and pain till this day. A day after my baby was born she vomited on her mattress which was turned over to the other side by a nurse instead of the sheets being changed. Then she had a poo which also leaked on to the mattress and this was not changed until my partner arrived the next day and noticed. (I was drugged up on tramadol due to operation) I have this on video. The staff were intimidating so I was made to feel afraid of using the buzzer for assistance as they would snap at me in my state. I was put on a catheter as I could not walk to the toilet which leaked from being overfull as no one came to change it despite me asking many times. I have had a distressing and upsetting experience at this hospital and am appalled with the lack of care and compassion shown by staff here. Each time my baby cried she was trollied away to the nursery where she would cry to sleep and lose her voice the next day from doing so.

Staff are friendly and caring

Cannot access services - It has been 18 months and everything is a fight. Delay in referrals, it took 3 months, another appointment, another referral and all the time the patient deteriorating. Promised a wheelchair in March, referral received in May, they say a further assessment is needed.

felt forgotten

My father was admitted for an operation for prostrate issues, throughout his stay the level of care received was first class, food was great though

I was admitted under a trauma call on 15th December 2013. The firecrew and paramedics on the scene were superb and got me through to resuss very quickly. I was cared for by a specialist trauma nurse who's knowledge and handling of the situation was second to none. I got transferred to ward 5 and underwent two successful operations which were carried out incredibly well. The care on the ward, was absolutely second to none. The nursing staff and health care assistants were on hand day and night, and absolutely lovely and friendly. I stayed for a week, and feel indebted to everyone on the ward for all their hard work. The physio team were also very attentive and great to me. A special thank you to the consultant and all the staff that cared for me.

I had a three day stay in Heartlands and must commend the nurses who looked after me, nothing was too much trouble and their attitude was excellent at all times.