The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) carries out outpatient appointments, day procedures and inpatient admissions. Patients are predominantly from Norfolk and north Suffolk, although some patients are referred from further afield especially to access specialist services.
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2004 responses from the local community
Alright experience
5
Submitted by Anonymous13th September 2019
Alright experience - not been too bad. The staff have been brilliant. It took 2 months to get an appointment here. I've seen on the board that there's an hour delay and I've taken time out of work for my appointment so I'll have to wait and see how long the delay is but at the moment it's not too bad.
The lady on the desk round the corner wasn't very nice when I went to the wrong area and got lost.
The waiting times are always bad in general surgery - it's best to bring a book! The staff are okay but their bed side manner is lacking and the receptionist could be a bit more engaging when you first arrive.
I've been waiting an hour to go in and I haven't seen anyone. I used the sign-in screen - had no problem with it but haven't spoken to any staff.
The referral to get here was as normal and wasn't a problem.
Car parking is ridiculous here - especially the private car park. They've made something that was easy, complicated. They have to have a man in the car park telling people how to do it. It's appalling organisation. It's just not clear and it used to work well. It's just not necessary and has created chaos. A lot of people waste 5/10 minutes trying to work out what they have to do to park and could then be late to their appointment.
The staff here are excellent. There are sometimes quite longs waiting times in general surgery. I'm very happy with the treatment we're receiving though. All the staff are very nice - can't complain.
Everywhere is very clean but the toilets could do with some updating.
We have found that the communication between doctors and the hospital can be difficult sometimes though. Then you get admin errors and it delays you getting into the system.
It's been alright in general. Only problem has been when I've not had an letter to confirm my appointment. My last appointment was made over the phone, the day before the appointment. I was told it was 10am but when I turned up they said it was 11:30am. I then had this happen a second time and this time they told me it was 10am one day on the phone and then when I turned up they said my appointment was actually the following day. I always make sure I confirm the time and day multiple times to make sure. I've never had any issue with appointments when it's done in the usual way and they send confirmation letters, but when it's on the phone there's been a few issues a couple of times.
I can't fault them for speed though - everything has moved very quickly. My operation was good - saw them on a Saturday too.
The only slight issue is the travel from North Walsham. I was able to have my mammogram at Cromer Hospital but all the rest of my treatment has been at Norfolk and Norwich. The car parking is difficult here too but after having chemo I really don't feel like trying to get on a bus and doing the park and ride.
Everyone has been really nice during all of my treatment - I can't fault the care I've been receiving.
I've found that there's been a real lack of continuity between departments when you're in hospital and they don't communicate well between each other. One day the consultant will suggest you could have this wrong with you and the next day it's totally forgotten by someone else.
The staff looked after me though and made sure I felt as good as I could in the circumstances.
I was on a ward with someone who struggled to keep the toilet clean so I mentioned that the toilet needed cleaning during the night to the nurse but nothing was done about it.
It seems like the staff are just too busy to be social. It feels like they talk to you as needed and then leave.
I've visited the Ears, Nose and Throat department and found it has been a real pain to ring and change an appointment. You have to leave your details and they will call you back in three days. Does that mean I have to stay by the phone for three days in case they call? I've resorted to coming into the hospital to cancel an appointment before because I couldn't get through on the phone.
The carpark at the back of the hospital is now not full anymore. I think it's got something to do with the fact you have to key in your car reg. You can at least park there easier now!
The staff are normally very good and they're generally pretty good with waiting times. Waiting time to get my appointment here wasn't bad either.
The outpatients experience if very different to being an inpatient though. Inpatients is ghastly! They don't take any notice of you. It's really not a pleasant experience. You get settled into a ward and then they move you in the middle of the night. You're there because you need to rest.
I've been to Haematology before and they were brilliant. The Alysham Suite were brilliant.
It's been alright at the Breast Unit. The staff are really nice. The new waiting room is nice enough. It only took a couple of days to get an appointment here.
Absolutely incredible. The Butterfly volunteers here are great. It's fantastic that relatives can stay when loved ones are on palliative care - I moved in on 24 July to 8 August. The staff are extraordinary. Always professional even when under extreme pressure and the staff shortages. We've received outstanding patient care. I've seen all staff treating patients with dignity and respect. However their are a number of mental health patients who need more specialist care and shouldn't just be left on the ward as they are.
I've also been to gastro and endocrine departments. It's very hard to get an appointment there but when you are seen the quality of care you receive is very good.
I'm visiting the breast clinic today and I have to say it's been so easy to be seen here. It's been so quick and they've been extremely flexible with appointments since the loss of my family member.
Only issue is the lack of bike parking at the hospital! Unless you beat the staff here at 8am, there's just nowhere to leave your bike safely.
From a professional point of view: I also work for a drugs and alcohol charity who work from the hospital sometimes. However, we don't have any kind of offices here - this means we have to walk round with our laptops or sit in the canteens to work.