Princess Alexandra Hospital
Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QXContact details and Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
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Reviews
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Review titled Thank you so much
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Mark Cropley - Posted on 06 December 2022
I wanted to say a big thank to the ENT consultant who saw me at Harlow Hospital for recognising the need for immediate action and directing me to Broomfield Hospital as an emergency. Cheshunt MIU walk in centre recognised I needed to go to Harlow Hospital. I had 3 days IV treatment on Billericay Ward for a nasty facial due to a blocked salivary gland. Until hearing consultants’ opinions and starting treatment at Broomfield I did not realise how serious an infection this was or the possible consequences. The quality of medical care and nursing provided on Billericay Ward throughout was exceptional and consistent. The calm, professional way in which staff undertook their duties meant their talents could shine. I’m proceeding with oral medication and after care as instructed for the next week to reduce the residual swelling, which comprises all the following: - • Continue with oral medication; • Apply warm flannel to swelling; • Gently massage swelling; • Drink citrus juice to activate salivary gland; • Drink plenty of water; A telephone follow up call from Billericay Ward is scheduled for 8th Dec. Indicators are returning slowly, such as facial swelling reducing, saliva and mucus production returning, appetite returning, improved activity and general interest, mouth opening and tongue able to move more freely. Everything still tastes a bit metallic or sharp with the consistency of cardboard. End
Visited Ear, Nose & Throat on November 2022
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Cancel an appointment
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 07 November 2022
My husband recieved an appointment letter which brought forward an annual review by 3 months. The date was not convenient, and after 6 days from receipt of the letter, he has been unable to speak to anyone to cancel/rearrange the appointment. Every day was a lengthy queue, on hold on a mobile, whilst trying to do your job is not only expensive but extremely difficult. After 6 days, he gave up and said he would just be a non-attendance. I said that I would try, as failure to attend, costs the NHS money, and he would have to wait even longer for his revised appointment, or not be offered an appointment at all. So, here I am waiting in a queue which started at no 40 at 2.30pm, and at 3.11pm I have reached no 24. If I were sitting in the clinic where I work, I would not be able to do this - I have instead the luxury of doing it sitting at home, but it means that urgent work for the health service is not being done (as would be the case if my husband were on hold). It is also costing money for the call. Surely, it is time to invest in a booking system, that as aminimum allows people to cancel an appointment and for it to be rearranged.
Visited Don't know on November 2022
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Hysterectomy
by alisons02 - Posted on 18 November 2022
I was in hospital for a hysterectomy and was on Henry Moore ward for 48 hours and the staff are wonderful, really caring. Nothing was too much trouble.
Visited November 2022
Provided by Care opinion
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Compassionate care.
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Kayleigh CAROLINE Long - Posted on 20 November 2022
My mum is a nurse at PAH, she is always telling me how important compassionate care is, and today I witnessed this. The nurse took her time to see me and comfort me, even though she was very busy. It really meant alot. Thank you.
Visited Accident and emergency services on November 2022
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Grave concerns
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 28 November 2022
I was sent in by 111 with ? heart attack amost 2 weeks ago . I was there 12 hours and discharged and told i would need to go back to the chest clinic within a week . I have called every day since the week has been up to try to find out what is happening and so far in spite of waiting on the phone for 2 hours at a time for it to be answered I am non the wiser but of course concerned . As a nurse and ex health service manager I was horrified by what I witnessed- old and frail people waiting on hard chairs - some for 25 hours and still not seen - without any food , dirnk or warmth or comfort . I have never witnessed anything like it . Once seen staff were wonderful but one told me that she may not stay in the uk because she fears getting ill here. Anyone with any doubt the nhs is on its knees should go and sit in the a and e - the system is broken - I have recently had my third battery of premed tests for a procedure because I have been waiting so long - it has become so inefficient . We need some nightingale hospitals again - not for covid - but just to deal with the backlog - and we need some help from the army to deal with logistics- and it needs to happen soon before winter really hits
Visited Accident and emergency services on November 2022
Review titled Princess Alexandra Hospital
Replied on 05 January 2023
Thank you for talking me through what has been your experience. I am sorry for your wait and I do hope you have had some resolution of the issue. I realise that the care your received has been very severely delayed and so is not acceptable. We are doing everything we can to deliver our services with respect and dignity for our patients in a timely way and I regret we were not able to do this for you. Please do keep hold of the details for our PALS service in case you need to contact us in future or your problem remains unresolved. Shahid Sardar Patient advice and liaison service 01279 82 72 11 or email paht.pals@nhs.net
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Review titled phone call services
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 25 October 2022
I am trying to chase an appointment for a few months now, today I have decided that I will wait on the phone as long as I have too because I am off work and can wait, after I have waited for 2 hours to speak with someone, the line was cut off, how disgusting is that, I was number 48 in the queue when I have called and when I was number 5 the line cut off, I am absolutely appalled by this services, there is no help and I just don't know what to do... so so frustrating and there is nothing that I can do.
Visited Don't know on October 2022
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Once care was received, great staff but they need support!
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 21 September 2022
I arrived at 12:15am having been referred by nhs111 to urgent care. Urgent care shut at 12:00am so had to go through a&e. I must say every member of staff was pleasant and polite. I was then sent over to urgent care at 10am, having waited 10 hours in a&e. Staff were rushed off their feet so had no choice, got seen by a doctor who then refered me to another department where I sat in the waiting room in pain for another 5 hours. I think the thing that got to me even more was that in the waiting rooms there are water fountain/coffee machine/drinks machine/etc, but none of which I was able to use due to no cups or broken machines. once I was seen the nurses and doctors were lovely and clearly trying their best. I then had to return for an appointment a few days later which was just after 4pm. I was seen on time but once again had to wait till 8pm to see a doctor about my results. it was clear that the doctor was eager to finish the day so felt a little rushed. I cant help but feel the hospital has some real gems of staff working for them but either need help from the government in terms of staffing levels or the overall running of the hospitals day to day departments needs more organisation so that staff are less pressured.
Visited Accident and emergency services on September 2022
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Worst Experience Ever
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 20 September 2022
Arrived at about 10am with a letter from The Royal Sussex Brighton after a foot injury whilst away for the weekend. I was told the Brighton hospital hadn't sent the x-ray and to sit and wait. I asked if I could have an xray there and was advised no. By 3pm with no update, I asked if I had been forgotten. I was told I was next. Another hour later I went to speak to reception and wasn't surprised to be met with a surly and rude women who gave no reassurance whatsoever. I had seen her and her colleague treat people badly all day. I asked to speak to the hospital manager and a while later the head nurse came to speak to me. I complained about the rudeness of the staff, the waiting times with no communication and no change to the board stating how long you need to wait. This seemed to work and I was seen shortly afterwards. During my total of 8 hours in A&E, I had witnessed poor treatment of the sick, elderly and distressed like never seen anywhere else. I feel so upset and stressed after a day at this hospital and fearful that I might have to face an emergency situation here again. They simply can't cope and have no structure. The staff are obviously fed up and take it out on patients. People are lying in corridors, cramped in rooms and left without care for hours on end. If this is the norm, the NHS has had its day
Visited Accident and emergency services on September 2022
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Not the best experience i had
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 04 March 2023
Went to the urgent treatment centre to see a doctor about a deep wound on my crease lining on my left forth finger as it wad infected the doctor I saw he did not want to help at all it was me doing all the talking and he didn't asked if I needed antibiotics to clear it up so I got given antibiotics for it but he was not interested at all I left feeling quite fuming this hospital needs doctors who are more interested in helping patients!
Visited Urgent Treatment Centre on September 2022
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
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Review titled Shocking treatment
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 06 September 2022
My daughter was sent by 111 to the urgent assessment unit. With severe abdominal pain.She was told there is nothing they could do, the gp’s will have to organise a scan, bloods and to take Paracetamol, they are short staff and A and E is only for the extremely urgent. The doctor there also said she must tell her gp’s to organise scan ( which the hospital has already rejected back in August) And more bloods tests! That was it. While waiting for a cab they called her back in because they hadn’t even done her Observations and mentioned if they showed any signs of anything wrong they could send her over to A and E. This is totally unacceptable, no care or compassion when someone is in pain and needs help. It’s disgusting
Visited Urgent Treatment Centre on September 2022
Princess Alexandra Hospital has not yet replied.
Information supplied by The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust