As we keep hearing negative travel news and negativity about the Conquest Hospital in Hastings I felt it was important to express my positive experience of both.
I was given an eye appointment last Sunday November 13, at the Conquest, which surprised me [as regular visitors like myself are used to weekday, not weekend, appointments, except in the case of dire emergencies, Editor in chief] but they explained that they are trying to get through a backlog.
I was told in advance that the drops in my eye would prevent me from driving home safely, at least for a few hours, so I decided to take the bus from Rye and arranged to be picked up. The 100 bus was on time and delivered me at the hour quoted in the timetable.
At the reception a friendly voice told me where to go and in the relevant department rather a lot of people were waiting. I wondered whether we all had the same appointment time and thought this will be a long wait.
However, I was called by a nurse on time, she checked my eyesight, put drops in, then sent me to the technician for a scan and ten minutes later I went to see the specialist to check my various eye issues.
Once he had the result he explained in details what the findings were by drawing my eye and explaining the referral he would make. All very thorough and I was out in 45 minutes.
Talking to the nurse about the Sunday appointment she said that they had seen 60 people in the morning and would see another 60 in the afternoon, with four consultants on duty. And when I left at about 2pm the nurses and receptionists working there were still smiling and being lovely, taking time for the older patients.
Yes, I am sure there are unfortunate, mishandled cases, but we only seem to highlight those and not the many positive experiences the public have.
Photo: Rye News Library
Great story, and I am sure similar to many hundreds of people seen at the Conquest everyday.
I too have had very positive experiences at the eye department: couldn’t praise them enough – ’tis great when the local NHS works!