Southend Hospital NHS Trust Arvostelua 43

My husband was taken into Benfleet ward for blockage in his neck which could have caused a stroke. The treatment received was first class. The staff were so caring and professional. They couldn’t do enough to make his stay comfortable. He was kept informed on all treatment. Thank you Benfleet ward

13/06/26 6pm-8:15pm
Triage was professional and rapid on my arrival, Reception was polite and respectful,
The Nurse practitioner Liz was kind and friendly, Xray staff was welcoming and patient with me and again Liz The Nurse practitioner was very helpful and supportive with the outcome of my aftercare.. I arrived at 6pm and left at 8:15pm
The Quickest visit to A&E in a long time..
Well done Southend A&E

Also your Young Porter who was working in the Xray area yesterday evening was polite and helpful
Thank you

Absolutely dreadful! Went to the out of hours GP service. The doctor was very dismissive and just told me that I had a viral infection. When I explained that this is the 3rd time in 6 weeks that I had had these symptoms and that the symptoms were getting worse, he told me that something was triggering the symptoms and I needed to find the trigger. I was in with the doctor for all of two minutes.The doctor was not at all interested and seemed bored. I know the doctor doesn't want to be at work on a Saturday afternoon, but honestly if I didn't feel so rotten I would have waited until Monday and seen my own GP. I had to take a taxi there and back as I didn't feel well enough to drive. A waste of £40. If I could give the service no star I would have done.

COUNTDOWN TO DEATH!

27th November
Scan showed a lung tumour, stage 1 so an urgent cancer referral

7th Jan
Consultant sends via post the urgent referral as he is not expierienced enough to do biopsy that is near blood vessels

14th Feb biopsy by an experienced hospital

30th April
A highly aggressive tumour removed with a BRAF mutation

11.05.26
Managers meeting to waste time

28.05.26
Called 999 as cant breathe, admitted to Southend A and E. All medications taken off me, next day given blood thinner. Sent to respiratory ward, told I could have had operstion on Friday had the nurse not given the blood thinner! Will now have to stay Monday. 2.5 litres of fluid showing in lung lining on ultrasound. I had been asking for an ultrasound for months due to a side lump and bloating. Caught an infection in hospital and 9 days later discharged. This would never had happened had I been treated for cancer.

Southend hospital will now to send me an oncology appointment!

DISGUSTING

50 emails sent over 6 months
Lung Cancer Nurses
Cancer Specialists
PALS
Ron Woodley MP
Commision for Health
Health Watch

Reply to my complaint outcome....

I was given the next available appointments for clinic reviews and MDT discussions inline with the cancer pathway! BULL!

Prognosis for this mutation is 9 months of life, 6 has been wasted!

A friend who lives in Swansea was screened for lung cancer as a normal screening they have in wales.

Within days admiited into the Marston in Swansea for a Video Robotic biopsy, they took a sample, sent it to their inhouse lab, it was cancer and they took out all the tumour there and then! Essex healthcare is even worse than a 3rd world country for cancer! They are killing us with their negligence.

My adult son went to Southend hospital after breaking and dislocating his ankle during a football match. Honestly, the care he received was really disappointing.

Firstly they tried unsuccessfully to pop his ankle back in place.

After 6 hours of waiting at the hospital in a corridor in a wheelchair, he was then told he would need an operation.

He was sent home in a huge amount of pain without any proper pain relief — just a prescription that couldn’t even be filled until the next morning. He was also given injections to do himself but wasn’t even shown how to use them safely.
Even though he had a serious injury that needed surgery, we were told they could not operate as their list was full but they would try to get him in during the next few days.

Then, to make things even more frustrating, the hospital called the next day asking him to come back on Tuesday for a pre-assessment, while then saying the operation wouldn’t happen for at least another week.
My son can’t drive, cannot walk, and is dealing with severe pain from a broken leg, yet there seems to be very little thought given to how he was supposed to get to appointments or manage at home in the meantime.

Overall, the lack of urgency, pain relief, communication, and basic compassion throughout this whole experience was extremely upsetting. No one with such a serious injury should be treated like this.

I’m Shocked and appalled at the awful lack of care he has been and continues to be subjected to.

Visited MRI & as someone who gets anxious in enclosed spaces I can't praise the staff enough. They allowed me to go in feet first with understanding (other hospitals make a fuss over this), they were on time, very helpful & pleasant. They had a step so I didn't struggle to get on the bed & had an extra pillow for my head & one for my knees. All in all a fantastic experience.

I went in a&e as my eye has closed up overnight and it is very painful. The doctor put his phone ,ight in my eye and said there is nothing wrong with it. I am very disappointed as he was with me for 5 minutes and sent me home. I am a diabetic person and I am worried as I cannot see out of that eye and I am at higher risk of infection. Absolutely disgraceful Southend hospital is.

I'm staying in Castle Point ward, the staff are excellent, making you at ease very caring, I believe staff work long hours, but they always give first class caring

I cannot thank you enough, Shanu Shanavas Khal, for the compassion and professionalism you showed during one of the most difficult moments of our lives. When my wife received her cancer diagnosis, it was an incredibly overwhelming and emotional time for us both.

From the very beginning, you treated her with such kindness, dignity, and genuine care. You didn’t just focus on the medical side—you took the time to listen, to comfort, and to reassure her in a way that truly made a difference. Your calm and empathetic approach helped ease her fears and gave her strength when she needed it most.

It’s clear that you are not only highly skilled in your role, but that you also deeply care about your patients as people. That human touch is something we will never forget.

We are truly grateful for the support you gave us, and we feel incredibly lucky that my wife was in your care during such a critical moment. You are a credit to the NHS and to your profession.

Thank you again for everything you have done.

Dreadful Oncology team and consultant. Often can't get thru on the phone (consultant's secretary only works part-time); total lack of follow-up care following a round of chemotherapy. My husband now losing the will to live and feels totally ignored and says they don't care. I thought a consultant would be a professional but the word doesn't appear to be in his vocabulary.

The MRI team from reception to delivery were excellent.
Both informative, helpful and caring.
Thanks you for your professional application in a busy site within MRI.
its 4th march 2026.
My names Alan Long.

My husband was admitted with Alzheimer Paranoia, saw some phycologists, was referred to ROCHFORD Assessment Hospital BEECH Ward, there he died from neglect, was over Medicated, he was always asleep, I was told it was due to his Alzheimer's decline, he was not helped with eating or drinking, I started to notice his dramatic weight loss, I feel the staff were to busy for him, and noticed on a rare occasion I went in on a meal time, which usually had to book outside meal times he was left, he couldn't feed himself. so I intervened, a worker there advised I got intouch with Pals Southend, they didn't help either, only one staff member was capable her name was Ali, he died there, awful Hospital, doctor Shamly and the whole team gave the impression my husband was safe,he wasn't.

My husband and I recently attended Southend A&E, and the experience was extremely disappointing from the moment we arrived. The triage process is completely unacceptable. Everyone is expected to wait in a single line regardless of symptoms, urgency, or mobility. This is unsafe and shows no understanding of patients’ differing medical needs. On top of that, there is absolutely no privacy. Personal and sensitive medical conversations are carried out in the middle of the main reception area where everyone can hear. It is uncomfortable, undignified, and entirely inappropriate for a healthcare setting.
There was also a constant sense of confusion throughout the department. People had no idea where they were supposed to go next, and staff made no effort to guide or assist. Patients were left wandering around, clearly unsure, while staff simply watched on. Communication from doctors was virtually non-existent, and patients were passed from one area to another with no explanation or reassurance.
I also witnessed things I found genuinely concerning. People who had been waiting for hours were eventually having their observations taken — and even cannulas inserted — in the middle of the crowded waiting room, in full view of everyone. Aside from the obvious lack of dignity, this raises serious questions about infection control and basic safety.
The reception staff were abrupt and rude, which only added unnecessary stress to an already tense situation. But the most upsetting part of the visit was the attitude of some of the medical staff. At no point did we feel respected, listened to, or treated with compassion. It felt as if having the title “doctor” gave them permission to speak down to people and dismiss concerns without any explanation. There is a difference between being overwhelmed and being unkind, and unfortunately the behaviour we experienced fell into the latter. We were often spoken to in a patronising, condescending manner that left us feeling small, dismissed, and powerless in a situation where we already felt vulnerable.
In particular, the young female doctor we dealt with showed a clear lack of basic manners and respect. Her tone was abrupt, her manner was dismissive, and she showed no empathy at any point. Being busy does not excuse speaking to patients without courtesy, and the way she handled the interaction left us feeling deeply disheartened. At times it felt as though decisions were being made with no communication or explanation, almost as if some staff were “playing god” and expected us to simply accept it without question.
No one expects perfection, and we fully understand that A&E departments are under immense pressure. But pressure does not take away the responsibility to treat people with dignity, respect, and humanity. Unfortunately, the lack of organisation, communication, privacy, and basic compassion made an already stressful situation far worse than it needed to be. These issues urgently need addressing to prevent others from going through the same distressing experience.

My dad was admitted to Southend Hospital and placed on Shopland Ward. While waiting by the lift, I noticed posters everywhere promoting Martha’s Rule—encouraging families to call if a loved one’s health was deteriorating, promising investigation and support.

After five days, my dad’s physical and mental health had clearly worsened, so I called Martha’s Rule, hoping for help. Instead, I was told that unless he was in the ICU or had already passed away, they weren’t interested. The two staff members I spoke to were not compassionate, not helpful, and gave the impression they simply didn’t want to be bothered.

Martha’s Rule at Southend Hospital felt like a false promise. In my experience, it was a waste of time—and deeply disappointing when we needed support the most.

When my dad was admitted to Shopland Ward at Southend Hospital following surgery, instead of receiving the rehabilitation he needed to return home, he was left in bed with no physiotherapy or support. He lives with his family, yet there was no effort to help him regain independence.

What made things worse was the behaviour of the staff and doctors. They would ask when family were visiting, and if we gave a specific time, they’d deliberately see him beforehand—avoiding us entirely.

We witnessed staff repeatedly pressuring elderly patients to agree to care home placements, even when it was clear they had families willing to care for them. It felt manipulative and wrong.

Despite my dad living at home, staff insisted on visiting his property and demanded door and lockbox codes without giving a valid reason. The whole approach felt calculated and intrusive.

The care was poor, the staff were often rude, dismissive, and at times aggressive—even during medical emergencies. I had to fight hard to get my dad discharged, and I never want to step foot in Southend Hospital again. This experience has left me shaken and distrustful of a system that should have supported us.

I have contacted PALS to file an official complaint, but they have refused to accept it and are now ignoring my emails. Southend Hospital is, in my opinion, a terrible hospital.

My father was admitted to Shopland Ward after breaking his hip. What followed was a shocking display of neglect, indifference, and cruelty.
He lay in bed for four days without surgery, receiving only paracetamol for pain relief. After the operation, he remained bedbound for another eight days without any physiotherapy—until I complained. When a young physiotherapist finally arrived, they were rude, aggressive, and shouted at my father, who was already vulnerable and in pain.
From day one, his glasses were lost and never recovered. He was left with a blocked catheter for over 10 hours, despite our repeated pleas for help. When it was finally changed, his bladder contained 1300ml—an amount that could have caused rupture or serious harm.
The ward culture was appalling. Staff were often aggressive and uncaring. Rehabilitation was virtually non-existent. Patients were routinely placed in nappies, regardless of need, stripping them of dignity and independence.
Most disturbingly, a healthcare assistant named Michelle was overheard by multiple family members saying she hoped my father would hurt himself so they could recruit more staff. Despite this horrifying comment, she faced no disciplinary action and continues to work on the ward.
I submitted a formal complaint to PALS, but it was dismissed without meaningful investigation. The lack of accountability is staggering.
This experience has left our family traumatised. Shopland Ward failed my father in every possible way—medically, emotionally, and ethically. Vulnerable patients deserve compassion, safety, and respect. We received none.

Visited a relative on the surgical assessment ward yesterday. It was clean, the staff were smart and friendly. The phone was answered immediately when I rang in the morning. Staff were professional. I was impressed.

I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the complete lack of response from Eleanor Hobbs Ward on the phone.

Yesterday, I called twice from Switzerland to enquire about a very poorly friend who has been hospitalised there for the past three weeks. On both occasions, I was left on hold with background music for several minutes — no one ever picked up the phone.

I then contacted the hospital operator/receptionist, who was kind and helpful, and personally attempted to put me through to the ward. I explained that I was calling from abroad, but she confirmed what I had already experienced: no one was answering. She further mentioned that she herself had only ever managed to reach the ward once, when the Sister happened to be present.

To make matters worse, another close friend of mine living locally in the Southend area tried calling the same ward 14 times yesterday over a 12-hour period; again, not once did anyone answer. This is not acceptable.

As a nursing manager myself, this level of inaccessibility reflects poor communication practices and a severe neglect of duty. Whether deliberate avoidance or disregard, it places both relatives and friends under unnecessary distress and creates additional workload, as callers will continue to ring repeatedly in desperation.

The staff on Eleanor Hobbs Ward clearly need reinforcement training and managerial oversight regarding their professional responsibility to answer telephone enquiries promptly, courteously, and informatively. Communication with relatives and friends is an integral part of nursing care, not an optional extra.

Patients deserve dignity, and families deserve respect. When phones go unanswered, care becomes invisible and trust is broken. I urge hospital management to take immediate and decisive action to address this unacceptable culture of silence — because compassion is shown not only at the bedside, but also on the other end of the phone.

Again I have been let down by this hospital. Firstly 12 years ago they implanted a morphine pump for my arachnoiditis pain,but I was allergic to the morphine used,so I was told no worries we will give you something else. After two pump failures the manufacturer said the pump would not take that medication . I asked meditronic to make me a suitable pump which they did 5 stars for them. After 7 years on the meds given I started to have real health problems,I had been transferred to UCLH by then for care I was told I should never have been given the meds for long time use. I then started to be a regular ambulance rider to A&E , each time being sent home not much better. Three years ago a medical doctor said it could be hormonal and he would have me back in 7 days to sort it ,never happened,and I didn't get his name. Two years ago I told them about research by Saint Mary's on Adrenal glands ,it fell on deaf ears at Southend hospital and my GP practice. Southend hospital then gave me blood pressure tabs that reacted with the pump med so together it gave me a terrible skin reaction,It took Southend hospital 9 months to diagnose it and it would take upto 2 years to heal . Because of this I told UCLH to wean me off the drug in the pump they agreed, I started too have nightmares,sweats etc severe pain ,UCLH told GP to give me a blood test for adrenal function turned out low ended up in Southend hospital again emergency spent 5 hours in a wheelchair that the seat would make a better door than a seat for somebody let alone for me with a crippling spinal disease to end it all was given to me in 1968 by NHS . Some of the staff are dedicated but the majority are not fit for purpose. Nobody seems to be in control. One member of staff was scooting about on a stool with castors on . You couldn't do that at school let alone a hospital. Sorry it's so long

Arrived by ambulance to Shopland Ward. Diagnosed with broken leg and fractured pelvis. The best care by nurses, i am in a room with other woman all helping each other. Its lovely to see staff smiling, dancing and interactive to all patients. Special shout out to Michelle and team

very caring staff on chemo ward but husband now on 5th visit. The letter confirming says expect to be there for 2 hours. On every occasion we have been they have been running over 2hrs late and we are there for 5-6 hours. its not possible to wait with my husband - I drop him and return home and go back later to collect.

And he has still never met his oncologist or spoken to him. It's always a junior on the team who calls the day before each chemo to check he's well enough for the treatment.

its not a question of just giving them more money; the admin staff are simply incompetent.