Northwick Park Hospital

Northwick Park Hospital 2025-01-30 Person 3 5 0

OK

Northwick Park Hospital 2025-01-10 Person 4 5 0

Northwick Park Hospital is a metaphor for the present HHS. In general, the practitioners themselves (ie, the doctors, the surgeons, most nurses, and the phlebotomists, etc.) are outstanding - fully devoted to the patients despite the huge pressures on the NHS. However, the administration is diabolical. Just one example: last year, for the first time ever, I had to postpone a six-monthly routine appointment because it coincided with the funeral of a very close friend. I phoned the hospital and a friendly woman who spoke to me said that a new appointment would be made. Two months later, having still not received notification of the new appointment, I called the hospital on the number on their appointment letter. I explained to the none-too-friendly woman who answered that I had not received a new appointment. She said that there was nothing she could do as she worked for the hospital's NHS trust – not the hospital itself! After much discussion, she finally gave me the correct number of the hospital. I thought that this was diabolical and called the Patient Liaison Service (PALS) to complain. I then received an appointment for six months hence! I then phoned through to the hospital number that I had previously been given, spoke to reception and asked to be put through to the Rheumatology Department. I was told that they could not put me through from reception but that I must call the Department on a different number, which she gave me. I called the number and was told by the Department receptionist that I would have to ring the specialist's secretary on yet another number. Finally, on my fifth call, I spoke to the specialist's secretary. I had needed to speak to him before and knew that he was most helpful. So it was this time. He took the details and ten minutes later he called back and told me that he had spoken to the specialist, that he wanted to see me, and I had an appointment for a few days later. Had I been put through to him on my first call, then the other four calls would have been unnecessary. This is just one instance of appalling administration - I have many more of these stories, all of them showing how inefficient and disconnected the administration is at NPH. And I know for sure that I am not the only patient in the same boat. The outstanding doctors deserve far, far better. The administrators are there to serve the doctors, not themselves. Finally, credit where it's due though. Thirty years ago, Northwick Park Hospital had a reputation for being one of the worst in London. I can attest to how dirty the place was, how unhelpful the staff were and how dismal the building was. Since then, there have been astonishing improvements. The building itself has been transformed. I recently had to visit A & E for a blood test, as directed by my GP. I was astounded by how efficient the reception area was - like the check-in at Heathrow. It took only five minutes to check in and join dozens of patients in the waiting area. I was leaving about 90 minutes later - very reasonable considering the huge number of people being served. Everything was conducted most efficiently. This makes it all the more regrettable that the admin is so dreadful. I am under no illusion that there will be any improvement in this area. The admin problem exists throughout the NHS, from GP surgeries all the way to major hospitals. Nobody among my many friends denies this. But at least I have now recorded my views, both on the outstanding Dr Hamdulay at the Arthritis Centre (and, I should say, all the other staff at that department, including the entire medical team) and other aspects of the hospital.

Northwick Park Hospital 2024-11-28 Person 5 5 0

I was a patient in Frederick Salmon South for 10 days. All the staff were really friendly and very caring, the doctors were all lovely especially Dr Amarasinge. Also thank you to Dr Woo and Ben from the respiratory dept for settling my fears .

Northwick Park Hospital 2024-11-25 Person 4 5 0

Care during my stay was excellent, the nursing staff and Dr's were kind and caring and efficient. The food was hot, tasty and varied. Excellent choices for a gluten and dairy free patient; catering staff (Maria) was very aware, knowledgeable and helpful.

The bathroom in Bay A was not cleaned in the four days that I was an inpatient. I needed assistance to get discharged after a 28 hour wait (taking up a bed unnecessarily), it was extremely difficult to find anyone to help with this. The nursing staff and Dr's did what they could. I spoke to the ward Matron in the corridor at one point, and she said she would be coming round to see patients but never came. PALS had also closed by this time.

Northwick Park Hospital 2024-10-31 Person 5 5 0

Thank you!

Northwick Park Hospital 2024-09-03 Person 4 5 0

My father spent his last hours in Dryden. The staff were very attentive and kind and detail oriented. We felt he was cared for and we were too.

For, some patients there, family or carers need to stay for long periods of time because it might be end of life. There should be some better or dedicated facility for them

Northwick Park Hospital 2024-08-16 Person 4 5 0

It was ok.

Northwick Park Hospital 2024-08-05 Person 4 5 0

To whom it may concern, I just want to give my thanks to all the members of staff who delt with me on the 05/08/24. From the moment I entered the building (it started with the cleaning staff) until the moment I left every single person made me feel well looked after. The young lady who first took my details started with such kindness. When she found out that I was French she even said a few worlds in French. I was very impressed with the team work. The communication between them was excellent. All the patients in the ward seemed extremely relaxed and at ease. Once again a very big thank you to all of the people working in the department. Such a professionalism should make the hospital very proud. Kind regards François Hamel

Everything was very well under control.

Northwick Park Hospital 2024-07-10 Person 4 5 0

My Aunt who I felt was treated very well and seen quickly and had tests within 3 hours of arriving in A & E by ambulance

Northwick Park Hospital 2024-06-21 Person 5 5 0

All staff I came into contact with were friendly, professional and helpful

I entered the hospital via the main entrance and there were no signs to the cardio clinic. Luckily, a member of staff, not in reception, was around and he directed us.