Share review of South Tyneside District Hospital

South Tyneside District Hospital 2016-03-17 Person 4 5 0

On the whole very good hospital. Been involved in several 'departments' and on a ward and have usually had good treatment and care. I generally would have no hesitation on giving positive reviews. A member of my Family from out the area got admitted and she was very impressed with the timescale from entering a and e to being treated and then admitted to a ward. She thought the care was very good. Staff are mostly lovely and doctors do give time and attention. Tests are carried out without too long a wait and clinics are run relatively smoothly. A and E is frustrating place - the waiting times is dreadful. I was waiting during the night from 1am for several hours (as was another ill girl) and we had to wait while a young girl in handcuffs led by two police woman were triaged, seen by a doctor, treated and released with the police. No obvious signs of injury or illness to be seen. She was talking and looked in one piece. I find my recently promoted consultant to be not too caring. He is very much 'treat the condition not the patient' and lacks the empathy I was used to with the previous consultant. I do not feel comfortable at the clinic appointments. Copy letters from consultants are not always posted out to patients. I can get a copy one visit but not for the next. Copies should be standard unless unwanted. The Aras team are an amazing group of nurses and they will always give you the time and care. The Speech and Language department is a department I have had appointments with and I can only praise Alex, the therapist to the highest level. She is such professional and caring support. Thank you Alex. Finally the car park is atrocious. Being a disabled driver I have a blue badge but it is almost a rare occurrence to find a space. I once had to drive round the hospital six times at 1pm in the afternoon just to find a space anywhere - impossible and ended up having to park in the leisure centre car park and walk back to the hospital. The nurses at the morelands clinic were horrified at the state I was in when I finally arrived. Exhausted, breathing very badly, and in pain. Annoyingly when I came out after my appointment and many tests the car park had emptied. Visitors to the wards appear to come and park in the car park very early in order to get a space and then there are none left by the time you arrive. Spare grass land adjacent to john reid road should be made into parking . even an overflow carpark by using the rubber grids on top of the grass would be a help. Other hospitals have multi story car parks - why can't we? And don't get me started on parking eye. That is the biggest money spinner going - and I don't have to pay being disabled. but it is shocking that staff, patients and visitors should have to pay to use this hospital. I was a visitor at a hospital in Glasgow and christmas and was confused to find no pay meters. Only to be told 'we don't pay to park'. It was free - and many many disabled spaces. If scottish hospitals can provide free parking why can't we that luxury?