Southend University Hospital, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust - Westcliff-on-Sea

Sam .Francis

I recently had an unfortunate experience at Southend Hospital. After being admitted due to a seizure, I was placed in a major ward. Upon arrival, I was disheartened to find the bay in a less than sanitary condition.

The area was littered with bedpans filled with urine, the sink contained a concerning red substance, and food packaging was strewn across the table. When a cleaner eventually arrived, declared bedpan contained urine, and placed a few tissues in it before walking away.

To my dismay, three hours later, the rubbish, bedpans, and the still-full sink remained untouched. Such a lack of cleanliness and attention to detail is unacceptable, especially in a healthcare setting. I would expect a higher standard of hygiene, particularly for patients who are already vulnerable and in need of care.

Wendy Bright

Ophthalmology Department
I’ve been accompanying my mother to her appointments at this department for the past couple of years and every time without fail each member of staff we’ve encountered, often at least three per visit, have been absolutely wonderful. Today we visited again for a cataract assessment, and once more the service we received was exceptional. The first gentleman we saw, an HCA, whose name escapes me, was delightful with a sense of humour, a ready smile, courteous and professional. Our second staff member was Lynette who took a scan of my mother‘s eyes, again very friendly and professional. Our final port of call was with Ahmed who was a repeat of the first two. It makes such a difference attending appointments when you have confidence in the staff, but also have as enjoyable an experience as possible as, after all you’re at the hospital because you’re either unwell or needing some form of treatment and anything to make it more pleasant is beneficial. Hopefully the staff feel the same way when doing their job and meeting their patients.

Josette Verlhiac

Had a Gastroscopy today 26/1/25 in the endoscopy unit.
Amazing kind and knowledgeable staff.
I was a bit nervous but made me feel at ease.
The theatre was ready and clean.
The doctor was efficient, I had a sedation and did not feel anything.
You get your results straight away.
I was there for 90 minutes.
Very professional.
And I want to mention the Endo.Admin, he was very helpful and going the extra miles to welcome you when you come in .

Rob M

I was advised during a 111 phonecall to go to A & E with chest pains.
I arrived at Southend hospital A & E & inadvertently walked past some screening section queue & walked up to the main desk - after a few minutes someone eventually told me to wait in a queue at the side. There were 18 people in the queue & 47 minutes later when another potential patient told me you had to have a sheet before you could get past the next registration stage. I then returned to the correct queue while the previous one had increased beyond 20 plus. I was also able to see a white board that said average waiting time was 7 hours & 12 minutes. By my reckoning I would have at least 2 waits of 47 minutes plus 7 hours & 12 minutes waiting time.
I returned home & will rely on paracetamol tonight. if I'm still mobile and suffering with the same chest pains in the morning I'll maybe join the queue(s) again but this time I'll be prepared for a full day's shift.
Incidentally I'm not complaining at the waiting time itself - which is of course pretty excessive - but more about the incorrect and downright obscure methods of queuing & the totally useless methods of instruction.
I'd also like to point out the majority of the information that gets recorded on the 'all important' sheet completed by the first stage personnel is more than adequately covered by the NHS card I had in my possession anyway.

Judith Broomfield

I would like to thank southend orthopedic dept I have had a hip replacement the surgeon was amazing . I was then transferred to castlepoint ward where the staff from top to bottom were amazing I felt completely comfortable and safe very well cared for . ALSO I would like to thank the amazing friendly proffesional pyhsio team who worked with me so I could progress overall absolutely amazing all round many thank Mrs Judith Broomfield.

Spike

I am writing to you with the purpose of filing a formal complaint due to the experience I have lived in your facilities on Thursday, December 12. After being scheduled for a scanner, I am deeply disappointed to have had to wait for more than 8 hours without receiving any clear updates or explanations from the staff about the delay.

I understand that hospitals can face situations of high demand and unexpected emergencies. However, I consider that the waiting time to which I have been subjected is unacceptable and reflects a lack of organization and respect towards patients.

As a user of the health system, I hope to receive dignified treatment and efficient service, since situations like this not only generate stress and discomfort, but can also affect the well-being of patients.

I request that what happened be investigated and measures be taken to prevent other people from facing a similar situation. In addition, I would appreciate receiving a written response with the corresponding explanations and a proposed solution.

I remain at your disposal to provide more details if necessary and I look forward to a prompt response.

Hayley Marques-Hoffman

A big thank you to the staff on duty at Southend University hospital’s A&E ward on 17Jan25- for their care of my daughter. Most friendly, caring and efficient, doing their utmost to treat my daughter , and keeping us informed and comfortable. Am so very grateful to you all. .

Saduni Padmaperuma

Disappointed about the service of the doctors in SDEC.

I have a urine infection which has affected my kidneys and they have enlarged. The first night I was in a different ward after 10 being in the A&E. However the nurses they treated me well and didn’t even made me feel and pain. I was shivering every six hours due to the fever, coming with the illness.

I was first said that I will be transferred to a ward and will have to stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days by the medical team doctor who explained me what has happened to me. I was so poorly that was incontinence of urine and stool. I was suddenly transferred to SDEC. I had to stay in a very small bed for about 8 hours, sometimes shivering and no one to give a paracetamol.

Luckily a very kind nurse lady and a gentleman helped me as they can even with their busy schedule. However in the evening a doctor came and told me they’re going to discharge me but I said I am in pain which is even worst than I came with to the hospital. But they said to go home and take some paracetamol when u are in pain and come tomorrow 8am. But now I am on bed trying to get some sleep but the paracetamol in not taking the pain off.

I understand that there can be problems with the capacity but they didn’t even check whether the antibiotics worked for before discharging. And the best part is the doctor said if it gets worst by tomorrow they are going to keep me in again. How funny to send me home for just for couple of hours for me to adore the pain and have fun with it.

Honestly the doctors were very rude.