Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital - Exeter

John Smith

Most of my visits have been great; staff have been fantastic (with a few minor exceptions).

Thank goodness for the NHS. Don't let the Tories break it apart anymore. Cameron started it's recent demise....

Thankfully we have a caring Government now - they have a huge task ahead - it will be a long and hard journey!

A kind man who was driving a small orange vehicle wearing a fluorescent jacket (see photo!) helped me during my last visit - I was lost and he helped me find my way out! Thank you again, kind man!

Sandra

21/10/24 - I waited in A&E for 7 hours throughout the night. Staff that I had to interact with throughout this time, were rude, arrogant, argumentative and uncaring. All they kept saying was that they were busy ( outback with the ambulances and elsewhere in the hospital) . This is a common phrase used and has been for decades, we've only got their word for that! People left in A&E for hours on end, no doctors paying them the right care and attention. I eventually left without seeing a doctor, as I was feeling worse for being in the hospital, I'd had enough of the non- caring environment and wondered how many more hours before I see a doctor. That's the nhs for you, it has bee like it for decades. It needs a good overhaul. Please only train care staff who truly do care, and let's improve A&E (it needs reform massively!

Sasha W

My husband was referred to the Stroke Unit, following a mini stroke. He consequently had blood tests, a Doppler test, a CT scan, an EEG and an MRI scan, and then we saw a Consultant. We can honestly say that ALL the staff we met regarding the above, including the respective department reception staff, were fantastic! Every one of them was friendly, helpful, caring and a credit to the RD&E and NHS! They also had a good sense of humour! ?
We don’t know yet, if my husband will require further tests or consultations, but if he does, we feel very confident that he will get the best of care, as I hope others will too.

The only downside to the RD&E Hospital site, is the outside signage. Unfortunately, we went to a car park around the back of the hospital and were completely dumbfounded as to where to go for the first appointment! We had to ask a member of staff, who looked like she was about to go home. She very kindly volunteered to show my husband the way, while I parked the car. Then, I too had trouble finding my way. Luckily, a member of staff asked me if I needed help and then walked with me to a point where he told me where to then go. Had it not been for these kind people, my husband would have been late for his appointment and I would have been wandering around like a lost sheep. I know that in a hospital setting, there are signs everywhere, but outside seemed especially bereft of them. Although we left home in plenty of time, if you get lost and are fearful you’ll miss an appointment, it doesn’t help to be scouring a huge area, desperately looking for where you need to go.
Edit: You don’t pay your parking fee until you leave. This is a great way to stop the mucking about with paying and not knowing just how long you are going to be. Unfortunately, I did not realise this and spent a while trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, then I noticed a small sticker which explained the procedure.
The other thing that has arisen since my original review is that some test results can take an inordinate amount of time. We have one last test result which we were told today (22 Oct) that there is a four month, yes, 4 month waiting period for this test result. It’s odd how a life threatening condition, such as a stroke, does not seemingly warrant quicker action. I would think that test results need to be reported on quicker, especially if medication(s) changes are required depending on test results.
Other than this, everything is very good and no doubt improvements on test results needs to be made by “the powers that be”.
Thank you to all the members of staff at RD&E. You are very much appreciated. ?

Trevor Hadley

Visited a&e with my Daughter following and accident. Hospital staff, doctors, nurses etc were all fantastic. They make use of modern technology in a very efficient way to improve the experience. Other hospitals could learn alot from them

Julie Manning

Odd to say that I liked a hospital but just to say that we had a good experience & great care today.
A friendly person greets you on arrival & gives easy to follow directions to the relevant ward / treatment area.
The receptionist was also very helpful.
I killed time having breakfast in their "Oasis" restaurant on the 2nd floor & later in their "Savour Cafe" on the ground floor, close to the main entrance. I only took photos of those 2 places.
All areas were very clean & most visitors wore masks in public areas.
NB if you have a Blue Badge you show this to any receptionist & they authorise all day free parking.
Also, if you need to catch a bus into town, these are only every 30 mins. Also, they don't offer return fares so you have to buy a £4.50 day rider ticket.

Katie Wood

Attended A&E for my son with appendicitis and he was admitted for surgery. We were put on Bramble Ward (a children's ward) which was absolutely amazing. The staff were the best part about the experience though as nothing was ever too much to ask them for and they were all very kind. A special thank you to the surgeon Dr Max Seabrook who went above and beyond to make my autistic son feel comfortable, even getting him a magazine after surgery as there was no shop on site for me to buy him one and it was all he talked about wanting from the time we arrived. Everyones kindness there at such a stressful time will not be forgotten.
The only downside to the hospital for me was the lack of vegan food available. I know this probably doesn't sound like an issue as they had bread there for toast but a few vegan options would be good in an age where many more people are converting to a lifestyle that doesn't want to use animal products. But as I said it is only a small pet peeve compared to the fantastic service we were given here and the staff here are just wonderful human beings. Thank you.

Alex

A good old fashioned hospital were health is just as science only an "opinion" in the eyes of the mighty doctors. It is astounding that they stopped admitting bloodletting or lobotomy's but iam sure you can still find a doctor here who will diagnose hysteria. They will not treat you badly, they won't treat you at all and you die from denial of assistance. I wonder how many patients had to die due to the incredibly lack of basic medical knowledge from these so-called doctors.

Christina Savage

Superb care and consideration throughout my enforced stay. The staff on Mere ward were excellent and nothing was ever too much trouble