Princess Alexandra Hospital
Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QXContact details and Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
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Reviews
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Review titled Appalling A&E experiences
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 19 July 2023
I have had the utter misfortune of sitting in Harlow's godforsaken a&e Majors for 24+ hours on 2 separate occasions with separate family members, for separate and critical reasons, in the last week. Both times it's been the same... the staff sit around ignoring their patients for hours, chatting while patients call for help, leaving patients and family members for hours and hours and hours with no information, no updates, no treatment, no care plan. They only act when family members show off about the situation. It's no wonder verbal abuse is prevalent. No-one is proactive, efficient or caring. It's always someone else's responsibility. The desk is lined with staff/Drs/Registrars who 100% ignore you, even when you are standing right in front of them, clearly waiting to ask a question. The staff are the ones that have ruined the NHS, not the authorities... You know, in their job, if you do a good job, you get paid. If you do a bad job, you still get paid. And it is abdundantly clear that the staff have decided to do the barest minimum as they will still get paid, no matter what. I have zero sympathy for the staff... if you don't like what you have got, get out. And bite the hand that feeds you, instead of innocent patients and families, who ask for nothing more than for you to do the job you chose to do and were trained to do, and do it without holding your patients to ransom. The Harlow a&e Majors staff sit chatting, laughing and messing about, or glued to computers, while patients lie seriously ill 'waiting for'.... no follow up, no information, no updates, and quite often no drugs. Reports are written by other Depts, only to sit waiting for hours and hours for followup. And since when have they inserted, removed and stitched the hole of a chest drain with no local anaesthetic? If that is a cost saving measure, then it's simply barbaric. What other possible reason for doing that could be remotely justifiable? Seeing a man of 62 scream in abject agony while that is done, is beyond shocking. Hideous place, that needs to be better managed and God help anyone who has to go there....
Visited Major trauma on July 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Excellent care
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Leah Ireland - Posted on 13 July 2023
I would like to thank all the staff from A&E, Opal ward & Ray ward for the outstanding care they provided for my mother. Your kindness, compassion & warmth shone through. She was looked after so well at all stages of her time at PAH. We were kept informed of all stages of her treatment & recovery. Mum wants to personally say a big thank you to the auxiliary staff on Ray ward who went above & beyond to keep her fed & watered. Their care was truly outstanding. In time of great stress for the NHS it’s truly heartwarming to see what a wonderful hospital we have in Harlow.
Visited Don't know on July 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Fantastic care and treatment
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Karen Joughin - Posted on 01 August 2023
My husband was seen in A&E with 2 week history of bad headaches. The treatment has been outstanding. Bloods were done which indicated major infection and he was transferred in to A&E majors unit. The staff were methodical and procedures completed with calm efficiency. My husband was transferred to the Adult Assessment Unit and the Clinical team leave me humbled by their knowledge and skill. Everything is done in a methodical way to ensure the correct diagnosis. I dont understand anyone who complains. I have only observed Nurses and doctors working flat out. Lets support our local hospital. The staff are there for us when we need them most.
Visited Accident and emergency services on July 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Basic
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anthony ROBINSON - Posted on 15 February 2024
After 7 months I was called up for my spine surgery everything was fine until I was told to go home on the morning of my surgery they told me we get in touch with you so home I went they was over 2 weeks ago I’m still waiting I tried to get in touch but it’s impossible so I’m trying this way I’m probably going to get some kind of an excuse I’m in lots of nerve pain and it’s been like this since the end of June
Visited Orthopaedics on July 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled What a shambles
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 25 August 2023
Clear no-one takes any pride/interest in how this department is run - zero patient privacy/dignity. The reception desk and triage seem to have been merged so triage/observation are done in the open waiting area which is small but bizarrely shaped so no-one can hear the names muttered by staff who pop out from odd corners or stand/sit behind screens to call patients forward. Everyone gets a printed sheet with a wrist band and labels - presumably most of these end up in the bin. The cups for the coffee machine are the wrong size so all the drinks purchased are overflowing from the machine. The water dispenser has been chucked to one side and replaced by a trolley with a couple of bottles of water on it. At least three non-functioning tv’s on the walls. None of this is down to a lack of funding!
Visited Accident and emergency services on July 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Fantastic service
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Peter Wiggins - Posted on 16 June 2023
On hearing and reading many bad reports concerning how poor the nhs were in certain departments, I was reluctant to visit pah a&e. I certainly couldn’t fault the service from booking in to seeing a doctor. Everyone I saw was friendly, polite, courteous and above all knew how to interact with patients. God forbid that I need to pay a further visit any time soon, but I if this is the case I will attend pah with a completely different outlook. Keep up the fantastic work everyone, thank you for a painless experience.
Visited Urgent Treatment Centre on June 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Very Poor Service
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Andy Kay - Posted on 13 May 2023
I fully appreciate how stretched the NHS is but there is no reason why staff cannot be polite and helpful. I witnessed all patients today being given the minimum information and almost being afraid to ask questions of the surly receptionist. There was zero warmth or empathy shown. No matter how bad a day staff might be having, they should remember there are a lot of human beings who need some help the other side of the counter. I waited three hours for my appointment and I’m ok with that, but it would have been better had someone said there would be a wait or at least looked as though they cared a little. The service was very very poor today.
Visited Urgent Treatment Centre on May 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Marvellous
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by vickymonk - Posted on 19 May 2023
I could not have asked for more. I have been seen quickly and professionally by all involved. Thank you
Visited Endocrine and thyroid surgery on May 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Urgent Endoscopy
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by David Sharman - Posted on 01 April 2023
I would like to thank all the staff in the Saturday, endoscopy unit from reception through to discharge, who were all kind, caring and thoroughly professional in their procedures, and made a very unpleasant procedure as good as can be.
Visited Colorectal cancer services on April 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Thank you
Rated 4 stars out of 5
by Mrs Fox - Posted on 22 April 2023
Cannot thank all the staff enough. They basically saved my life without me even realising at the time. Ended up having to have a blood transfusion. All the staff were very efficient, a lot were warm and caring. Quick check in and effective triage. Temperature of waiting room extremely warm which could pose problems when people are feeling ill. Saw staff continuously cleaning. Witnessed other patients being given quick attention when they called or seemed in pain. Had the opportunity to ask questions about my treatment. My bloods were checked and monitored quickly. Given clear information on my discharge. Thank you so very very much to everyone!
Visited Accident and emergency services on April 2023
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
Information supplied by The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust