The Great Western Hospital
Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BBContact details and Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Patient ratings and reviews
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Reviews
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Review titled Brilliant Treatment
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Carol Kennedy - Posted on 14 November 2024
I went to the Endoscopy department for a procedure and the staff and treatment I received was excellent. They were all very efficient and friendly and I can't fault any of them. I have always had great treatment at the GWH and my latest visit was no exception.
Visited Gastrointestinal and Liver services on November 2024
The Great Western Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Lack of care
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 06 November 2024
My partners dad had to go up to A&E because he was in agony, had severe symptoms of cellulitis and wouldn’t be able to get a GP appointment. He could barely walk and looked awful, obviously in need of care. Unfortunately the person at the desk was refusing to let him see anyone and after a while of basically having a go at my partner and his dad for apparently not needing to be there, the receptionist finally let them through. This is completely unacceptable, he was clearly very unwell and spent the next 5 hours being tested and given another few appointments along with antibiotics; if she had not let him be seen then he would be worse off and god knows if he’d get seen by a GP anytime soon. I have had very similar attitudes by staff members at desks at the GWH, I’ve been spoken to by doctors like I’m stupid and I’m wasting their time. I’ve been given appointments then asked why I was given them by the doctor at the appointment because all the staff don’t seem to know the same protocols. One doctor once said other doctors don’t know what they’re doing, while I was sat right in front of them. Disrespectful behaviour. Please sort out the staffs attitude towards patients, we are supposed to feel welcomed and taken care of but there a very few staff who deliver that.
Visited Accident and emergency services on November 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 06 November 2024
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your family member’s experience. We are sorry to hear the service he received has not met your expectations. If you would like us to look into this further, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing gwh.pals@nhs.net or calling 01793 604031.
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Review titled Yearly appointment
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 30 October 2024
I visited the Great Western Hospital for my annual appointment expecting, as I had previously and also from my many years of attending The North Hampshire Hospital, of seeing a Doctor but I saw a nurse, a very nice friendly nurse. Although she was very pleasant, after weighing me and then taking my blood pressure, I assumed she was the nurse who I would see before seeing a doctor. I wish she had made it clear that I would not be seeing a doctor. She was very interested in me personally; holidays, handbag, why I had moved area, husband, husband’s age, his work, age difference between us, etc., she did not offer me any answers re my condition; apart from buying an over the counter pain cream. I explained I was having pain and difficulty walking with my heel and that was when she suggested the pain cream because of my condition I live with pain daily. I use ‘Dr Google’ frequently and feel this is more useful which, quite frankly is a terrible thing to admit. To say I felt frustrated and upset re my appointment and that I did not get to see a doctor was an understatement. The nurse did not discuss my blood tests, which I have every 3 months as would normally happen or how my medication was effecting the rest of my body re side effects, she asked me questions that she could and did get from the records in front of her; this was regarding the names of the medication I take. In the end, I actually asked if the appointment was over and should I leave, as I felt awkward and did not feel I had had the benefit of someone knowing more about my condition than I did. As I said, she was extremely friendly and polite, as was I and I appreciate the NHS is under great pressure, but I left feeling worse than before my appointment. I certainly hope the NHS gets the extra money it deserves and needs.
Visited Rheumatology on October 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 31 October 2024
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience. We are sorry to hear not all aspects of the care you received meet your expectations. If you would like us to look into this further, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing gwh.pals@nhs.net or calling 01793 604031.
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Review titled wren unit in great western hospital
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 22 October 2024
Appointment was rearranged suddenly and promptly. Despite waiting for a long time it was promising. When I arrived I’ve got an impression that each nurse on Wren unit was only interested in their food provision. Most of them overweight , mindlessly walking from one empty room to another. Casually chatting around reception, loudly sneezing ( without covering their mouth). My nurse didn’t have a clue about my previous test which were taken just a month ago. There is no coherent discussion between gp and referral treatment about one’s health/ test results/ X-ray. I suppose there is only one and only solution: don’t get ill!
Visited Don't know on October 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 28 October 2024
We are sorry to hear your recent experience did not meet your expectations. We would like to say that we endeavour to make all experiences when visiting outpatient areas, positive and we can only apologise if this was not the case. We take concerns seriously and are keen to investigate and take action as appropriate. If you would like us to look into this further, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing gwh.pals@nhs.net or calling 01793 604031.
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Review titled Unempathetic
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Leo - Posted on 10 October 2024
Went in after damaging a shoulder only to be treated like I was less than and not even have it checked. Felt very rushed and like I was an inconvenience to the Dr. Check in staff were very kind and understanding though.
Visited Urgent Treatment Centre on October 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 10 October 2024
Thank you for your message Leo. We are sorry to hear the recent care you received did not meet your expectations. We are very keen to learn from our patients’ experiences so we can continuously improve our services. We would welcome you contacting our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) so we can look into your concerns by emailing gwh.pals@nhs.net or calling 01793 604031.
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Review titled Caring Professionals
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Dave Gillett - Posted on 05 October 2024
There's no doubt the nhs has received a lot of complaints and negativity, it's under staffed and massively over stretched, I found myself in Orthopedics' twice this week, following an ankle & fibula break recently, within 24 hours of my first appt I'd been contacted regarding a 2nd appt and surgery, I spent 12 hours in Gwh on the 2nd Oct and felt totally at ease, apart from the very annoying and "overly long" fire alarm tests, which affected all the patients and staff, everyone I came into contact with in Ortho, Emergency CT and Day surgery was friendly, patient, attentive, caring, polite, informative, very professional and nothing was too much trouble. for the amazing people I came into contact with on that Day. And as promised a letter was received just 3 days later concerning a follow up appt. So thank you to all those I came into contact with, you're brilliant.
Visited Orthopaedics on October 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 09 October 2024
Thank you, Dave, for telling us about your experience and observations of care at the Great Western Hospital. We are delighted to hear your positive feedback on the care and treatment you received from our staff. We will share your comments with the Orthopaedic department, Emergency department and Day surgery unit, who will very much appreciate that you took the time to get in touch.
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Review titled Poor initial meeting
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 22 September 2024
Arrive to be greeted by a rude guy on the door, who renders his own medical opinions upon arrival. Actually rolled his eyes at my wife for being sent here. Whatever school yard troubles exist between the hospitals and the dr who referred us here are not our fault and we should not be made to feel like a burden on arrival. With small children and a late evening visit it was not what we wanted to be doing. But as my wife has had serious medical issues since her last pregnancy these things need checking.
Visited Urgent Treatment Centre on September 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 23 September 2024
We are sorry to hear your recent experience did not meet your expectations. We take concerns seriously and are keen to investigate and take action as appropriate. If you would like us to look into this further, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing gwh.pals@nhs.net or calling 01793 604031.
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Review titled A&E fantastic caring treatment for my mum
Rated 4 stars out of 5
by Kelly - Posted on 24 September 2024
We arrived at 10.30pm with a 5hr wait ahead of us with a suspected broken wrist but I have to say the staff were all incredible. Reception were so friendly and listened and helped us book a taxi at 3am. The lovely blood pressure lady was so gentle with my mum. The Dr and nurse were so kind offering my mum and me some Roses chocolate (after checking for allergies) and making her laugh. The Dr was so caring saying it was an honour to treat my mum. We couldn’t have felt more cared for and the difference compared to 4 weeks ago for my dad in another area of the hospital was night and day. Other areas of the hospital should really look to learn from the positive experience these staff gave us on what was a long tiring night. Thank you so much!!
Visited Accident and emergency services on September 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 25 September 2024
Thank you, Kelly, for telling us about your experience at the Great Western Hospital. We are delighted to hear your positive feedback on the care and treatment you and your mum received from the Emergency Department. We will share your comments with the team who will very much appreciate that you took the time to get in touch.
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Review titled Amazing staff at all levels
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Jane - Posted on 09 September 2024
I had the misfortune of dislocating and fracturing my elbow yesterday, everyone at GWH was so kind and caring despite being run off their feet. The NHS itself may be in crisis but the staff are absolutely amazing, including the volunteers. Thank you GWH!
Visited Accident and emergency services on September 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 23 September 2024
Thank you Jane, for taking the time to tell us about your experience. We are delighted to hear your positive feedback on the care and treatment you received from our staff at the Great Western Hospital
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Review titled Frightening Chaos
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Mosie - Posted on 16 August 2024
Tuesday 13th Augusr 2024, 11pm - 8 hours waiting in terrible pain (kidney infection) I had passed out at home, no ambulances at all available (neither were there when I tripped onto a branch, which went through my arm, previously this Summer, which required surgery. I have requested an ambulance twice in my life, this year, and both times were told that although a priority, there were no ambulances available. This was terrifying. A&E was rammed, people bleeding, collapsing, vomiting and there was urine on the floor, which wasn't cleaned up the whole time I was there. I worked for the NHS back in the day, am a staunch supporter, but the service at the GWH A&E was appalling, as was the ambulance service. I see that it hasn't been assessed since 2018. It desperately needs looking at.
Visited Accident and emergency services on August 2024
Review titled The Great Western Hospital
Replied on 21 August 2024
We are sorry to hear your recent experience did not meet your expectations. We take concerns seriously and are keen to investigate and take action as appropriate. If you would like us to look into this further, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing gwh.pals@nhs.net or calling 01793 604031.
Information supplied by Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust