You can’t recover in hospital

[Schuyler]

I’m not complaining about the care which has been exceptional. I just think the environment is not conducive to recovery. Unfortunately, I’ve been admitted to 5 different hospitals over the last few years and I’ve seen the same thing in all.

The temperature is unstable - either far too hot or far too cold.

The food can be virtually inedible. It is certainly not nourishing! Longish admissions mean I work my way through the menus. I’m fortunate to have almost daily visitors who can bring me food but many people don’t have this luxury. If you’re taken for tests when the food arrives, you might end up with cold food or melted ice cream.

It’s noisy and impossible to sleep and too bright. I understand why they need some lights on and obviously they can’t help beeping and confused people calling out.

I don’t think there’s a real answer but people look at me like I’m an alien when I tell them I tend to get better much quicker at home! AIBU?

[makingmiracles]

I was lucky last year, after being on pre surgical ward which was stifling and crowded, I got moved to another ward before having my op And I had my own room, own bathroom and the food was amazing, I was in for two weeks and couldn’t of been more comfortable.
I do think eye masks and earplugs are a must for any hospital stay though, even if staff are quiet, you’ve got machines beeping etc

[WhoTellsYourStory]

I was on a ward for 2 weeks after major surgery during last year’s heatwave. I had a fever (40 degrees) but staff couldn’t keep the windows open as the other patients kept complaining of cold. Eventually I resorted to asking for wet paper towels. It was miserable - I’ve vowed just to die next time rather than be admitted.

[Rememberallball]

@myself2020, yes I’m the UK - in an area where there are only 2 hospitals in an area covering a fair bit of 2 counties.

[Schuyler]

@Rememberallball

I’ve found the hospital wards I’ve been on to be very clean for the most part. I have no complaints about that but I’ve never been on a ward that’s not noisy with visitors. I understand people want - and often need - their visitors but just the presence of more people makes it noisy and I usually want to sleep in the afternoons but can’t.

I am home now and much better than I was but pushed to be discharged, probably sooner than suggested because I was getting really low and even more immobile in bed. It’s hard. I know they try their best but the environment makes my mental health take a dive.

[thesuninsagittarius]

The last time I was in for pneumonia (on IV antibiotics) Iwas the youngest person in a bay filled with elderly ladies. I don't know what was worse; the one opposite me who talked NON-STOP at me, tried to join in when my then husband and DC came to visit and made loud passive-aggressive remarks when I just closed my curtains and ignored her. When I mentioned this to a nurse he said 'she's lonely.' Well that's not my problem to solve! I was driven crazy by the lack of privacy and having to share space with people like this, not to mention the ones who snored all day then sprang to frisky like at night and roamed about shouting and flinging your curtains open, or trying to get in the bed with you! I have never felt so vulnerable or stressed as I have when stuck in hospital. I get chest infections frequently and have chronic bowel disease but I won't let them send me to hospital if I can help it. If I could afford/be assured of a private room that would make all the difference. There seems something barbaric about being expected to sleep in the same room as half a dozen strange people.

[thesuninsagittarius]

Life, frisky life! Not like

[WhoTellsYourStory]

@thesuninsagittarius Oh my God, the people on my ward has a long conversation about me being "snobby" for being the only one with my curtains shut. It was awful - I just cried listening to it.

Hospital wards are vile, they really are.

[NotanotherboxofFrogs]

Im currently in hospital, Im now into week 5 of my stay and will be here at least the same again.

This is an NHS hospital and Im on a specialist unit as an out of area patient-funded by my home health trust and so regular visitors are not really possible for me due to distance. (Im in a different country to my home)

The food is excellent, there are core menus and then can pick off other menus as well.

The place is spotless. Meals can be taken in either room or in dining room.

Rest is encouraged and last obs are before 10pm at night.

Visiting time is one hour afternoon and evening. Things are kept as quiet as possible.

The night staff after night time meds and obs you never see or hear them unless you need them and its press a buzzer.

I slept last night with my bedroom room wide open, I never heard a thing after 10.30 pm and it was the next room along whose door banged slightly.

Im also beside the nurses' station. I needed a nurse during the night and pressed the buzzer and one appeared in less than 10 seconds.

Admittedly its a specialist unit and not an acute ward but I have nothing but praise for the NHS and this ward is top of its game.

[PerfectionistProcrastinator]

I had no idea how true this was until I had a weeks stay in hospital last year.

Earplugs were my sleep saviour! The food was still rubbish though. One eve as my appetite was just starting to come back DP went and got me a couple of dishes from the local Chinese takeaway. Bliss!

[Bloodybridget]

notanotherbox very glad to hear you are having such good care and good food; if you have to be in hospital that long at least you can sleep and eat in comfort! Wishing you a good recovery.