Daily visiting an elderly relative last week at RPH. Got a bit of a routine of getting an Evening Post. Today a young woman was giving the counter staff a telling off for some slight and was oblivious to everyone thinking she was the problem. You never know what stress visitors are under in a hospital and the staff are probably used to it.
It’s a very busy place. Arrive around 2pm and security are controlling traffic as the car parks are packed. Even so, someone has conveniently left as I arrived almost each time, but at £1.50 a day plus an Evening Post it’s adding up. Long walk and climb the stairs. From above the buildings cover an area bigger than a football pitch on a single floor. 70’s style design looks inefficient. How about some car parking on that big flat roof.
The staff have been very good although there are so many people in different coloured uniforms and a lot of them say they’re only passing through or it’s not their bit. Finding who to talk to is a problem. The nurses have limited scope to advise as they are performing routines prescribed by the doctor and don’t make judgements. Finding a doctor is another matter, I haven’t found one yet. They seem to be on ward in the morning well away from visiting time.
On the ward each bed has a personal TV and Radio which seems good but it costs £5 a day. Who pay’s that much? Didn’t they have free TV on the wards before.
Visiting in the evening or weekend is recommended, being able to park easily makes it more relaxed. Overall I thought the hospital seems to be doing a good job but something should be done about the traffic and car parking and the price of the TV. Maybe a patient information point in the ward with an occasional doctor present would be useful. Think there’s another week ahead of the same.