Patient Feedback

What patients say about their experience at Spire Sussex Hospital
The following quotes are from the patient satisfaction questionnaries 2009:

"At 85 and my first time in hospital, I cannot believe that there are many that come up to the standards received at the Spire Hastings."
"All the staff were first class, very kind and attentive. I would be very confident to use the hospital again, for myself and my family."
"My consultant was delayed due to weather – I was kept constantly informed of the situation and where he was on the road."
"The courtesy, care and quite efficiency was very much appreciated. Please thank the whole team who looked after me so well despite dreadful weather conditions getting them to work."
"The tea lady – she’s just like a favourite aunt."
"The nurses attending me were marvellous – considerate and put me at ease."
"Cannot fault care received and staff met."
"The Spire Sussex has a warm, intimate feel to it. I cannot fault the care and attention I received."
"Every member of staff we came into contact with was excellent, nothing was too much trouble."
"Made very comfortable, nothing too much trouble for the staff."

Spire Sussex hip replacement patient tells of his remarkable progress

"The problems with my right hip started about ten years ago, with a level of pain which increasingly prevented me from playing golf, skiing, walking the dog, and even mowing the lawn. I had appointments with several orthopaedic consultants and they all advised that, as the arthritis in the hip was minimal, it would not be appropriate to replace the hip. I continued to put up with the pain and discomfort until, most fortunately, I was advised to approach Mr Hugh Apthorp, FRCSOrth - one of the few consultants in the UK who performed arthroscopies of the hip. He cleaned away loose tissue around the ball and socket joint, using a keyhole procedure. This was a success until about six months ago, when the pain returned.

"Mr Apthorp then advised that the hip required total replacement and he subsequently performed a minimally invasive arthroplasty at the Spire Hospital, Hastings. He makes only a three inch incision for this keyhole operation, during which great care is taken to work around, rather than cut, muscle tissue, resulting in less bleeding, less pain and an amazingly rapid recovery. This technique, together with the use of epidural anaesthesia, ensured that I was able to get up and walk, with elbow crutches, about three hours after the operation. In a flash, after months of pain and suffering, I was experiencing absolutely no pain – almost a miracle!

"The day after operation, having practised stair walking, I was allowed to go home and progressed from crutches to walking with just a stick to unaided walking, within a week. I found the whole experience very impressive. I consider myself fortunate to have come under the care of Mr Apthorp and his thoroughly professional team. One hears of many different experiences and stories from those who have had more traditional hip replacements, with extended periods of impaired mobility, pain and bruising for weeks after surgery – while I was able, within a mere ten days, to get the mower out and ensure that the grass no longer grew under my feet!"

David Denne (patient)

Hysterectomy patient at Spire Sussex shares her hospital experience

"After several years of 'health issues!', my GP felt that I should be referred to a Consultant Gynaecologist. I am very grateful that as a member of a private healthcare scheme, I was able to ask to be referred to a Consultant in whom I had absolute trust and confidence. After confirming that I was covered by my policy, I quickly recieved an appointment to see Mr Auld. The result of this consultation was that I would be admitted for a Hysterectomy. From the moment that my referral was recieved by Mr Auld's private secretary, I was met with such efficiency and kindness by everyone involved in my care. This team includes the bookings team, receptionists and the outpatient nurses who were with me during my initial consultation and my pre-assessment visit.

"I am a nurse, and along with a good many of the medical profession I am an eternal coward and a bit of a drama queen, so by the time I was admitted for the surgery, I was rather anxious (that is an understatement!) the ward team were wonderful, they supported and calmed both me and my husband, who by this time was having his own concerns and anxieties! Both Mr Auld and Dr Gould, the Consultant Anaesthetists, saw me pre-operatively and were able to answer any concerns that I had, they were also very kind and understanding of my level of anxiety.

"The theatre team were equally kind and supportive and I found the male ODP's gentle sense of humour a help. I was treated at all times by my colleagues with sensitivity and professionalism.

"Throughout my four day stay the whole team looked after my every need and also the needs of my family. The catering team were wonderful in supplying my husband with refreshments during his visits, this was so much appreciated. I was well prepared for my discharge and given follow up appointments for both the Consultant and the physiotherapy team.

"I made a very quick and good recovery and I feel that a good deal of this is due to the whole hospital team who simply took care of everything for me at a time when I was actually qute stressed and anxious."

L. Parsons (patient)