Patient advice

I am due to have or thinking about having an operation at this hospital should I be concerned?

Millions of procedures are carried out in the NHS each year and the vast majority are completed safely and effectively.

For most procedures you can now choose where you would like to be treated. You should discuss your options with your General Practitioner (GP) who probably identified your problem in the first place. You can also use websites like NHS Choices or drfosterhealth.co.uk to help you choose the care that is right for you. You may like to discuss some of the issues highlighted in the Dr Foster Hospital Guide about this hospital with your GP.

If you or a friend or relative are already being treated at this hospital and have any concerns at all then speak to your GP or discuss these with the consultant (the senior doctor) who is managing your care. Again if you or a friend or relative are staying in hospital and are concerned about any aspect of your care or the ward where you are being treated ask to speak to the senior nurse in charge.

The Care Quality Commission, who regulate hospitals in England also have a helpline you can call on 03000 616161

After your treatment is finished use one of more of the websites below to let others know about your experience:

• NHS Choices
• I Want Great Care
• Patient Opinion

If your care didn't go as well as you would have liked the Care Quality Commission will give you advice on how to make a complaint. Call them on 03000 616161

In an emergency should I avoid this hospital?

In the event of an emergency, patients should always go to the nearest emergency department (also known as A&E or Casualty). If you are going to hospital by ambulance always follow advice given by the ambulance crew.

If you are unsure at all about what to do you can call NHS Direct 24 hours a day on 0845 46 47.