South Tyneside District Hospital

I was really nervous about having my wisdom tooth extracted as my jaw had dislocated at my own dentist practise having a filling, so I was referred to STDH to the Oral and Facial department on Tuesday the 14th of May. I had my first visit in February to assess what could be done. I was given 3 options to how I would have it done, general anaesthetic, sedation or local anaesthetic. I opted for local. I was told by other people I must be mad for opting for this. I found the Consultant very professional and I somehow felt quite assured I was going to be in good hands. The day of the extraction I felt really anxious but as soon as I was in the room she put me at ease. It went really well and I did not feel anything during the extraction. I would recommend anyone to this Consultant and her staff as they were all brilliant. So anyone out there who hears horror stories ignore them as everyone is different. She spoke to me throughout the procedure and it was over within about 10 minutes. So I would like to thank the Consultant and her team for her professional and exemplary manner and also the patience and kindness they showed me during my procedure.

My mother is suffering now as I type. She is in hospital. She has asthma, among other things.
Nothing they give her helps. She asked to delay a camera down her throat as it is very sore. Also asked if there was anything else she could take apart from inhalants. As they effect her throat.
So the doctor took away her nebuliser. He gave her nothing to replace it. Please someone help her. She has suffered so long. The doctors don't treat her as they should.

my husband was admitted to your hospital twice in the last few weeks both times on ward 10 firstly in a bay and secondly in a side room while he was in bay for a week he was treated with curtesy and respect at all times from all staff but when readmitted two weeks later he was put in a side ward and he had such wonderful care again from all staff on the ward nothing was two much trouble for them they treated him with such dignity in his last two days we as a family were overwhelmed by the love and care they gave peter and us as a family nothing was to much trouble for them the staff on ward 10 are to be commeneded one and all. Can we please say a special thank you to his Consultant and nurses, who on peters final day were so wonderful to peter and all his family thank you to you all Mrs jen campbell and family

I was recently brought to the A&E department of this hospital by ambulance in agonising ankle pain where i could not walk, i was left in pain to wait 30 mins for a doctor who thought it was sciatica so gave a painkilling injection. second doctor came 15 mins later and diagnosed a tendon problem in my ankle and discharged me with 2 types of medication. Considering i could hardly walk i wasnt even out of the room before a nurse came in and cleared the bed and sent me to a waiting area. I received an hour of their time.
That night at home I was still in pain and my leg started to go numb, the following morning my groin was also numb. I called my doctors and a nurse advised me to go back to A&E straightaway. I arrived at around 10.30am and waited over an hour to be seen (there were 3 people there). I was shown to a room with a chair and a bin and 2 large blood spots on the floor. I refused to go in and the doctor refused to have it cleaned up so my boyfriend used wet tissue to remove it. I sat on the chair and the doctor put a dish with medical equipment on top of the bin while they took blood - very unhygeinic. I was then told there were no rooms with beds to examine my leg in so id just have to go back and wait until there were. another approx 90 mins later i finally got seen, this was around 1pm. I was then left in this room till I had an MRI scan at 4pm and then finally a different doctor came and told me what was wrong - I had abroken vertebrae and prolapsed disc that was crushing my nerves - hence the numbness. He immediately began proceeding to send me by ambulance to the RVI. I didnt get to the RVI till around 11.30pm. And because South tyneside had kept me on nil by mouth all day I was to weak to have the emergency op there and then so had to be on a fluid drip all night to rehydrate me for my op the next morning.
So thanks to south tyneside misdiagnosing me twice the first day i was taken in and taking so long in casualty the second day (12 hours) I have now been left with some nerve damage in my foot and numbness in parts of my saddle and groin. Thankfully the staff at the RVI newcastle were fantastic and the surgeons amazing, everything was handled very quickly and smoothly.
I dont think i would ever go back to South tyneside again, the hygeine levels appalled me and considering how quiet the department was that day, I think how I was dealt with was a disgrace. This is a real shame as my daughter was born prem at this hospital and the maternity and scbu unit were fantastic. A pity this department has completely let them down.

Reading some of the feedback reviews on this site, I find it difficult to believe I attended the same Hospital.

I was admitted last week for a routine hernia operation and because of minor complications, had to be moved to Ward 9 from Ward 4 for 2 days. The attitude of the staff was exemplary throughout.

Each day they greeted me with a smile, a laugh and a joke while going about the routine tasks necessary however unpleasant. Their encouragement when things began to get painful for me quite frankly made the whole thing almost bearable. My comments when they did something for me was replied usually with "You don't have to thank me" I said 'Yes I know that!" Even in the middle of the night I found enough staff to deal with the requests of patients pressing buzzers.

From the Consultant and his Surgeon to the many Nurses and Sisters, Porters and Assistants,(too many to name - sorry but you know who you are!) I was kept informed with what was going on and when things would happen. I found everyone totally aware of one word - 'Care"

I'm now having some time off to recover and look forward to visiting the Hospital again in a few months when I hope to be fully recovered.

My Dad lost his speech, was given an appointment for this morning at the Hospital. All staff from receptionists to nurses and doctors have been brilliant. The doctor even took my dad to where he needed to go.

Dad has been given a thorough going over scan etc, and the outcome is we think he has had a small stroke. The care he has been given has been wonderful. A big thank you to everyone involved helping my dad.

Upon entering the emergency centre I was greeted by friendly staff wiling resolve my reason for being there.

A doctor attended to me and following several tests I was told that an overnight stay was necessary

On admission to the EAU I was met by a friendly nurse who firstly provided me with food and drink as I had not eaten for several hours, helped my into provided pyjama tops, as I was by then attached to a bag of saline solution. Another nurse took time to complete paperwork and then I was left to try and sleep , which I managed to for e few hours.

Next day began with breakfast, served efficiently, a visit by a consultant and colleagues and following more blood tests which appeared to be satisfactory and lunch I was supplied with medication and allowed to return home.

Since my reason for being there was because I was feeling unwell, the first class treatment and attention received could in no way be faulted for which i will always be grateful.

Incidentally my health has greatly improved as a result of the treatment

Had to go in to the hospital over a weekend for emergency surgery. First thing I must say is that the surgical staff were superb, thats not what I seen on ward 4 though after my operation. I must say though, this was just the Sunday day staff on the ward, the staff on Sunday nightshift and the weekdays afterwards were first class and I want to thank them for my care. I dont know for sure but I'm guessing Sunday day staff aren't the usual ward staff?

On being returned to the ward on the Sunday I seen a catologue of things that shouldn't happen. My drips were left in hours after they'd ran dry, requested a cap be put on my drip so I could go to the toliet with 5 staff over 2 hours and I was just left or told they'd get someone. No-one ever came and capped off my drip or brought me a bottle to pee in! Eventually carried my drip myself to the toilet otherwise I'd be lying in my own filth! Received a sarcy comment to say I shouldn't walk around with controlled drugs, how many times am I supposed to ask!!!!! It had been dry for hours anyway!!! The Sunday staff even lost one of the patients notes.

Other patients were losing their cool with the staff with the care their relatives were receiving too, not the standard of care you'd expect in a hospital where people are unwell. I think I've seen some of the best and the worst in a couple of days. Once again, first class care during the week and during the night so if I ever have to go in again for emergency surgery I hope I'm not unwell on a weekend daytime!!

I am just letting you know ho helpful and professional the staff are on ward 2. I have recently had a relative on ward 2 following a fall which resulted in her breaking her hip, the staff were so helpful and caring from the minute we arrived on the ward it made up for the fact that your emergency department hadn't given her any pain relief, the ward staff made it their priority to ensure that my mother was made comfortable. She arrived in the middle of the night and I could see how busy the night staff were but that didn't prevent them from delivering the highest level of care, and my goodness they were rushed off their feet! All the staff on ward 2 were lovely helpful and cheerful on what is a very worrying situation and they put me at ease, which as a relative is a massive help! Thanks again and especially to the night staff what a wonderful team you are. If anyone had Any doubts about teamwork within the NHS they should go and observe teamwork at the highest level on ward 2!

I have just called to enquire about my elderly aunt who was admitted early this am. I spoke to 3 people, staff I presume as no one introduced who they were ie position or name. 2 of the 3 called me "Hun" and "Darling"! Very patronising!!!