Berkshire Independent Hospital - Reading

Darryl Pitt

I recently visited Berkshire Independent Hospital on Monday, 22 July, for an epidural steroid injection. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire team for their exceptional care and professionalism, from the staff I interacted with to those behind the scenes.

A special thank you to Chris Brown, my Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon, for his expertise and kindness. The reception team, Sade and Taylor, were welcoming and efficient. Eric, your fantastic customer service and friendly personality made a big difference – thank you, my Ghanaian brother.

Jerome, the Senior MRI Radiographer, also deserves a special mention – another Ghanaian brother who provided excellent care. Freida, who helped me to my room, and Mandy, the catering assistant, were both incredibly helpful and kind. Maraming Salamat, Mitzi, my nurse, for your attentive care. Richard, my anaesthetist thank you for your professionalism and reassurance. Děkuju Tanya. Graham, Sahil the porter, and Lisa, who called the day after my procedure to check up on me, all contributed to a positive experience.

I also want to thank Sandra Lewis, the Lead Orthopaedic Secretary, and Medical Secretariat Team Lead, Ethne Mukhawala, a Private Secretary at the hospital, and Bibek Rawal, a Radiology Assistant (MRI), for their excellent support and coordination.

Thank you all for making my visit smooth and comfortable. Your dedication and care are truly appreciated!

Aiman Umme

I am really disappointed by the service provided by the secretary. She did not mention on the phone that the interpreter was need for my mum’s appointment. Although I ticked on the form that she need an interpreter. So, was refused to be seen by the doctor due to this. Secondly when we asked her to arrange for the cataract surgery, just a week before the appointment we’ve found out about hidden charges which were not mentioned before neither my mum agreed during the consultation with the interpreter. Therefore, we had to cancel the surgery and now start the process again by finding another consultant etc. This has been a waste of time

Felicity Leath

I had a sleeve under the care of Dr Greg Jones. My Nurse Jeremy was amazing. He was kind and compassionate and never made me feel that anything was a bother. The care, the staff and the hospital was wonderful and made a very scary experience very comfortable 🙂

Mas Hassan

I recently had a knee operation at the hospital. I was looked after and properly cared by the excellent staffs, nurses, and auxiliary staffs.

The operation was done under the supervision of Mr Andrade. He was extremely helpful and showed total professionalism in taking me through the stages of the procedure, before, during and after the operation,

After care was excellent and I felt relaxed in a very comfortable environment before leaving the hospital after three days. The physiotherapy facilities in the Mansion house are more than adequate and I’m following the chartered programme of exercises and attending the ‘knee’ classes to improve my mobility.

The staffs were courteous and very helpful. The consultant was excellent and first class.

For aftercare the gym facilities at the Mansion House are excellent with close supervision by a physiotherapist - certainly would recommend ‘knee classes’.

Great facility for the X-ray in the Mansion House that is fast and efficient service.

Becky Savin

My partner went in for a consultation and was advised an injection would help him. So a referral was sent . But after my partner had waited a few weeks he decided to call Berkshire independent to see what was going on and told to call the hospital himself to check. He found out that the hospital had rejected a referral and it had to be sent again. So he waited few more weeks as he had a call saying they were dealing with the referral but hasn’t received anymore information treatment yet. Not sure why a patient has to chase these issues to get the treatments needed . We thought going private would help as nhs waiting list are at least 6 months but private care at this moment isn’t much better as been well over a month and very disappointed in this situation not being resolved

Julie Hellyer

I had an appointment here with the Endoscopy department. The only reason I didn’t give a 5 star was that I waited in reception for 20 mins and feeling anxious before a lady came to get me.. otherwise staff were great.. the man on reception was very helpful. I definitely would go here again. Thank you

Charlotte

I had a consultation with Amr Elkhouly this week. He was dismissive and rude, asking me lots of questions in quick succession which made me feel undervalued, and as though he had judged me and my treatment plan before I even walked in the room. I was willing to forgive this as cultural differences, however, I was then asked to wait for an x-ray.

I walked into the x-ray room and the consultant David introduced himself to me. He asked my name, address, dob, and why I was there. I replied an x-ray on my right knee, to which he seemed confused, and said he would x-ray me from the hip down. He asked me to take off my shoes and socks and stand in a 'stand' ready for the x-ray.

He asked me to dig my fingers into my hip bones each side, and hold for over 10 minutes, asking me to point to my belly button repeatedly to make sure my hands were in the right place. When I could not feel my hip bone, he asked if he could 'feel', and jabbed so hard I was sure I would develop bruises. Thankfully, I am 30 years old so did not. This was an awkward and horrendous experience, David apologised a few times, saying he was unsure why the equipment was not working, and this honestly seemed like his first time ever completing an x-ray.

I was in a lot of pain, and made to hold a position for 20 minutes, before he managed to take the first x-ray.

David then asked me to stand forward on my bad knee and hold a squat position for another x-ray, which was immensely painful as this knee is weak. He placed a metal ball onto my knee, I assume to help with the image? Anyway, this fell off immediately, to which he said do not worry, and he managed to get an image.

Needless to say, I could not wait to get out of there, and this is from a private patient. The hospital staff seemed like a bunch of jokers.

Shellie Cannings

Bariatric surgery.
Extremely poorly managed. I wondered if it was because I was NHS in a private hospital.if so extremely short-sighted as I would not recommend to anyone paying. I have had stays at spire with medical insurance. Much better!!

No bin liners in bins on arrival
Only very small hand towel to shower
I had to chase after an hour for cup of tea
Then I had to go out and fill water jug
Wet sheet thrown in wet room
Never asked if I needed adjustment or more pillows
Tray left for 2 days
Two of the nurses were amazing but the assistants have very poor attitude. I sugggested they use their eyes more and look at the tray, empty water etc.When they go in patients room. They just do bare minimum.I was not going to complain because nurses excellent.
My glue came completely undone overnight. I could not get through and got answerphone saying call back. I called 8 times in 2 hours. Eventually the operator helped. The person I then spoke to did nothing to reassure me.
I would avoid if paying and use Spire or similar. Extremely lax, not good enough