Calderdale Royal Hospital

The staff are always busy but always kind . They make a difference to my life !
I have had a St.Jude’s mitral valve since having a severely leaking mitral valve in 2020 and nearly died . I had emergency open heart surgery at LGI.
Life changing surgery .
I got out of hospital just before my youngest son ‘s 18th. Birthday .
I still have stress symptoms when I attend Calderdale Hospital , I had been in hospital(s) for 5 weeks ( no visitors during covid times ) .
It was a surreal time . I am an ex. nurse .
I attend to have my INR level checked because I am now on warfarin for life.
I am still adjusting to my altered life but the lovely staff are consistent and are a part of my new life . I don ‘t think they know how much a part of people ‘s life they are and how much of a difference they make .
I appreciate them all !

I needed an operation on my leg. I have a learning disability so my mum arranged everything but I understood I needed to have an operation. Everyone was really lovely to me and were good at helping me after.

I asked to be referred out of here to Leeds for my eye treatment because I felt they didn't understand my autism and respect I needed my appointment to be different.

My elderly relative was admitted on 30th May with pneumonia. Her given name is E. She is 92 and confused. Every day I explained to the wards that her chosen name is B - she was in 7 days. Not until day 5 did they start calling her B. No wonder she was awkward. They further said that she wasn’t fit to go home as she was very agitated and unsafe when walking. I know - because I know her - that she was no more unsafe than when at home and she was agitated because people were pushing her to do things she didn’t want to do. Eventually I persuaded someone that she would be better off at home and so she was discharged on 6 June. Someone rang me to say she was leaving the ward at 16.36. My husband went at 1615 - as this is the time we were told - to meet the ambulance and help them into the building. At 1806 she hadn’t arrived - a 5 minute journey. When I called the ward at 1806 I was told that she had refused to get into the ambulance. Now even I know, and I’m not a nurse nor used to dealing with patients like B, that she would be frightened they were taking her somewhere other than home. It would have been right for the ward to ring me, I could have gone and travelled with her in the ambulance. They did nothing but abandon their duty of care to the patient so I said we would collect her and take her home. Why didn’t they ring me? When I arrived I was told that she had threatened one person and been awkward. All this in her hearing. First of all it’s their job to deal with that - isn’t it - and secondly what good did it do telling me and in front of B. There is such a lot wrong with how B was treated and I cannot imagine that many, frail, disorientated patients don’t behave like her. Perhaps some awareness training needs adding. I am very frustrated. The reason fir this isn’t just to complain but for you to consider if additional training should be given. Tones and voices, smiles, correct names - all help.

I received a letter for an appointment at Outpatients about 6 weeks before the appointment date.
On the day I turned up and there was no record of an appointment. No referral had been made and I was told to contact PACS to find it out. I have telephoned PACS but no answer and have not yet had a response to an email.
I've gone back to my GP to ask for another referral - let's see which comes quicker! What a waste of everyone's time.

Went to A&E with my brother who had fallen and was treated very well by everyone, especially the female ambulance drivers who helped us in to the building. Two particular nurses were exceptional on the night shift and the male nurse or doctor organised the brain scan very quickly. Thank you very much

I had to go to A&E before Christmas. I had called 111 as my GP was shut and they referred me to A&E after a long chat on the phone.
I saw a nurse at A&E and she was lovely and sent me for a scan. The next day I had to go into surgery.
I was a bit upset at the time and it was the nursing staff who stood out as doing the 'care'. I cannot recall any of the doctors other than at discharge, I'm sure they did the surgery but due to my state there didn't seem to be discussions with them, the nurses told me everything.
I could have 1 visitor but he wasn't allowed to stay for long so I did feel very alone at an upsetting time.

I've never had a problem with my appointments, good care.
The first time I came here for an appointment I found it so confusing to try to find outpatient department, I thought it would be easier to find a second time round but I found it just as hard again, its a bit of a maze.

I waited 35 minutes for what was a less than 5 minute appointment where I was just told some information which could have be told to me over the phone or in a letter. I'm 83 years old and its not the easiest for me to get out of the house and travel to the hospital. Waste of my time and waste of a valuable NHS appointment.

I have to come for my eye check here twice a year and the waiting area is always busy and overcrowded. I waited for 40 after my appointment time today and eventually when I went to the reception desk to ask how long my appointment would be I was told I had already been called. If I had I think I missed it because it's so loud and chaotic in the waiting area.