"Felt like a number"

I initially attended the day ward at the New Victoria hospital for knee surgery. From the moment I arrived on the ward I started to feel uncomfortable. Staff came across as cold and uncaring. No nursing staff introduced themselves by name. No-one said where toilets were and you felt like an inconvenience having to find someone to ask. I felt very uncomfortable.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, my surgeon - who is a wonderful person - explained he was not sure when my operation would be due to emergency and I was already last on list. I offered to come back and surgery was rescheduled for Gartnavel General the following week. However, by this point it was around 10.30am, I had been fasting since midnight. Staff told me I had to wait as anaesthetist wanted to speak to me. I asked why and they didn't know.

Every time I stood up they would just call out - sit down. No-one offered me a cup of tea or anything to eat. 40 minutes later I said I wanted to go and again they said about anaesthetist, still not knowing the reason  why they wanted to see me. It was disorganised and certainly did not install a sense of calm.

I stated to one nurse that I had waited 40 mins since surgery changed with not even an offer of nourishment and I was leaving. I felt they grudgingly said they would make me a hot drink while I waited and came back with half a cup of coffee. When I had drunk it I said I was leaving and would call my surgeon's secretary, which I did, only to find out that they only wanted to check details were up to date.

I have never been so relieved to get out of somewhere and so happy my life was not in those people's hands. Thankfully I had exceptional care from all staff at Gartnavel.

I am appalled that staff can treat patients who are in a very vulnerable position in such a cold and uncaring manner. I feel in one week I have seen the very worst nursing care at the Victoria and the very best at Gartnavel.