Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HBContact details and Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
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Reviews
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Review titled Absolutely gross.
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Georgia Barford - Posted on 11 September 2024
I had to spend a week in a ward here. I am not in the slightest saying the nurses themselves are at fault, they were all really lovely and helpful. What I found concerning was the cleanliness and the negligence of some of the care staff. Some of them were great! But there were two in particular who did not seem to want to help at all. There was one night where I had no control over my bowels, or bladder, I was being violently sick and there was no toilet roll left in the toilets. Having made a mess, and being connected to a drip which was plugged in to the wall I buzzed my buzzer but it was 2 hours until someone came. It was following surgery so I was particularly fragile and found it very difficult to move. I unplugged the drip machine and tried to clean myself up after locating an abandoned trolley full of gowns, underwear and wet wipes. I made a staff member aware there was no toilet roll left in the toilets and I was told “yeah they will refill it in the morning” - it was 2am at this point and I feared somebody. Including myself could potentially require toilet roll before 7:30am so I hobbled my way up and down the corridor to find another abandoned trolley which had toilet roll on it. I replaced the toilet roll myself and asked if my sheets could be changed as they were messy. The staff member in question said she would replace them in the morning… having just cleaned myself up, I didn’t really want to lay back down in a dirty bed… I found a blanket on a chair and put that down on top of the mess so I could Atleast protect myself a little bit from the grossness. At about 6am I was given anti sickness medicine which made me feel very.. high and a bit out of it. Directly after that the beforementioned staff member decided she must change my sheets before the next shift comes in. I explained I wasn’t sure I could stand as the medication made me feel funny to which I was told to kneel on the floor… having no dignity left at this point k grabbed a pillow, hobbled to the floor and let her change my sheets (4 hours after asking her to). While changing my sheets she accidentally knocked a bedpan full of my vomit (I couldn’t find any sick bowls so stole a bedpan to puke in) on the floor. This remained there until about 8am. Once my drain was removed, I stood up to use the toilet and fluid filled the dressing and was running down my legs and onto the floor. I wasn’t told this could happen and panicked. I rang the buzzer but nobody came. I stood in the doorway asking for help while being ignored by the staff refusing to make eye contact with me. Finally some doctors were passing, I begged one of them to check it and she replaced the dressing and explained why it had happened. The fluid remained on the floor until I left the hospital 2 days later. It could still be there now. Generally. The surgical team and drs and nurses were great. But the general “care” on some of the nights was non existent. And it wasn’t busy. I was the only one up.
Visited Gynaecology on August 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 18 September 2024
We are sorry to hear about your experience. If you would like us to investigate this matter further on your behalf, please contact our PALS team on 01923 217198, or email westherts.pals@nhs.net
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Review titled ENT Dept
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Montyl - Posted on 22 August 2024
First visit to this hospital for an ENT appointment. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Treatment was very professional. Great experience, next appointment is in six months time!
Visited Ear, Nose & Throat on August 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 18 September 2024
Thank you for your kind comment. We are pleased to hear that your experience at our hospital was positive and that our staff provided great care. We will pass your comments onto the team
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Review titled A&E Outstanding medical team
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 09 July 2024
I spent 7 hours in Watford General A&E last night, not my favourite way to spend an evening though well looked after. I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of the medical staff in A&E, truly outstanding from start to finish. (this does not include the reception team or reception nurse) The medical staff are true professionals with warmth and kindness from start to finish. So sorry I can’t remember names. Thank you once again.
Visited Accident and emergency services on July 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 25 July 2024
Thank you for your kind comment. We are pleased to hear that your experience at our hospital was positive and that our staff provided great care. We will pass your comments onto the team.
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Review titled No Play Area at the Children's Ward?!
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Thomas - Posted on 09 July 2024
An appointment for the mother at the Maternity & Children Ward. Two children in tow, and I asked the receptionist about whether there was a space for the children to relax or play while we waited for the mother to finish her appointment. The first lady couldn't understand English and had to defer to the second lady who advised that there were no such space. I asked her if there was any playgrounds outside in the area and got another negative response, only a pitifully small grassy area next to a busy road where the children milled around breathing in the car fumes. The feedback is simple: a children's ward should have a play area or sensory space where children can pass the time while waiting.
Visited Maternity services on July 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 09 July 2024
We are sorry to hear about your experience. If you would like us to investigate this matter further on your behalf, please contact our PALS team on 01923 217198, or email westherts.pals@nhs.net
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Review titled Not Great
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 29 July 2024
I was admitted from A&E on the 6th of July for severe pain in my back and was discharged on the 11th of July. Nursing care in the A&E and ward was excellent but I was really disappointed by the doctors and the lack of care plan. In fact, a doctor visited me twice but in fact he had seen another patient who had surgery and amended my notes based on his visits to that patient. I was discharged without giving me any exercises to do which was extremely strange as I still had the same pain that I was admitted with. Not very happy with the doctors although the nursing staff were wonderful.
Visited Don't know on July 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 15 August 2024
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear about your experience. If you would like us to investigate this matter further on your behalf, please contact our PALS team on 01923 217198, or email westherts.pals@nhs.net
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Review titled Good Experience
Rated 4 stars out of 5
by F P M Hallworth - Posted on 23 September 2024
Broke my wrist tripping over in July. Watford Urgent Care were great- had X-ray to identify the location of the break, two A&E Doctors manipulated and reset my bone and when reviewed on X-ray, decided reset could be a little better, so incorporated two orthopedic registrars to reset my wrist again. I also received great care from the nurses. They were all so kind and lovely. Follow up at fracture clinic St Albans with registrars, consultants and nurses, also efficient and caring. Now recovered with a nice straight wrist and hand ! Not often you hear positive comments about the NHS but I’m really happy with my experience- great job and thanks so much !
Visited Accident and emergency services on July 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 30 September 2024
Thank you for your kind comment. We are pleased to hear that your experience at our hospital was positive and that our staff provided great care. We will pass your comments onto the team
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Review titled Excellent care
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 12 July 2024
I was admitted through A&E a week ago. Clinical tests to assess my condition were prompt and thorough. Feedback was clear and allowed me the opportunity to ask questions. While specialist investigations are still required, by the fourth day (not counting the weekend) I had a confirmed diagnosis and an intervention to relieve symptoms had been carried out. My week on a ward has been very revealing. Duties were carried out carefully and efficiently but also with cheerfulness. Some patients had a form of dementia in addition to the medical condition that brought them into hospital and this necessarily added to the time it took staff to perform routine tasks. But invariably they acted with outstanding patience and forbearance. My grateful thanks go to the whole team - what a superb, dedicated group of people you are.
Visited Gastrointestinal and Liver services on July 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 25 July 2024
Thank you for your kind comment. We are pleased to hear that your experience at our hospital was positive and that our staff provided great care. We will pass your comments onto the team.
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Review titled Superb Department
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Angela Lovering-Moon - Posted on 18 June 2024
From the moment I arrived to the moment I left, I felt looked after and was treated with such respect. The nurse I had was amazing so kind and very thoughtful. My procedure went very well and I am so grateful to the Helen Donald Unit for looking after me so well.
Visited Haematology on June 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 20 June 2024
Thank you for your kind comment. We are pleased to hear that your experience at our hospital was positive and that our staff provided great care. We will pass your comments onto the team.
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Review titled appalling hospital
Rated 1 star out of 5
by kim element - Posted on 25 June 2024
To start with its impossible to park, so next time i will call an ambulance! Sent as an emergency patient because the Gastro team still have not got back to my son with any diagnosis or help. 14 years on and still being messed about, never get results and communication is pathetic. No appointment after the so called emergency CT scan at the beginning of May. Very let down!
Visited Accident and emergency services on June 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 28 June 2024
We are sorry to hear about your experience. If you would like us to investigate this matter further on your behalf, please contact our PALS team on 01923 217198, or email westherts.pals@nhs.net
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Review titled Praiseworthy A&E Team
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anne Marie Scarff - Posted on 28 June 2024
I was seen in the A&E department early June. The whole process was seamless from booking in at reception, triage nurses, Orthopaedic Surgeons. The whole service was efficient and professional. The staff were friendly and compassionate. 10 out of 10 from me.
Visited Accident and emergency services on June 2024
Review titled Watford General Hospital
Replied on 28 June 2024
Thank you for your kind comment. We are pleased to hear that your experience at our hospital was positive and that our staff provided great care. We will pass your comments onto the team.
Information supplied by West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust