"I instantly felt safe and supported"

I was admitted with a leak in my bowel. I had had surgery a few weeks earlier at a different hospital to remove a section of cancerous bowel and was not happy with their proposed, drastic, solution to solve my post-operative complication.

Once at Basingstoke Hospital, I instantly felt safe and supported, with all staff in A&E and on the ward throughout my three-week stay there showing me nothing but kindness and great medical and nursing skill. Every single person I came across and every aspect of my care just filled me with gratitude and gave me hope that I would recover.

I was delighted that I did not need another major operation which would have resulted in even more tissue loss and will continue to be grateful to my brilliant surgeon every single day for his skilful, light-touch, surgery which successfully cleared out the infection without cutting away any more of my bowel, so giving my body the chance to heal safely.

In fact, over the following few months I recovered far better than I could ever have hoped for when I arrived at the hospital. The outpatient follow-up has also been really good. I was offered the chance after discharge to move to a different hospital for it, but declined it without hesitation.

I find the administration of appointments is always very efficient: great use of electronic communication as well as always being able to get through to people by phone who can answer any questions very quickly. I have never had an appointment cancelled or rescheduled or been passed on to a different medic when I go for a test.

I cannot thank the staff who have looked after me at Basingstoke Hospital enough.