Western Infirmary

Thankfully, I don’t have much experience in the way of hospitals, but since moving to Glasgow, I’ve been to Western Infirmary on a few occasions because some trouble I have with one of my wrists.
This particular visit was to the orthopedics to get m wrist x-​rayed to see (finally) what is going on in there. On the sheet of paper that was mailed to me, were directions on how to get to this department. «Go past A&E and follow the signs» is basically in a nutshell what it said. Um… ok.
I get to A&E and walk past it to what seemed like no mans land, and there it was, the entrance with a sign to where I needed to go. From there, there were signs, with arrows, but I got lost a few times, as the sineage, although there, is very poor and the staff are not very helpful. I got a lot of «go down the corridor, take a left, past whatever, round the corner to section b». HUH? Not only that, I really felt like I was all up in everyones business. i walked past 5… yes 5 people in their beds in the hallway, and moved out of the way for at least 3 beds with people in them who were being transported somewhere else. Hospitals are not my favourite place to be.
Anyway, I finally, after asking about 3 different staff members figured out where I was needing to go and got there. I’m notorious early everywhere, which helped me out in this instance because the took me in 30 minutes before my appointment. I was sent back down to the xray department where I originally asked for directions and the lady, before noticing I had a card in my hand gave me a look like ‘haven’t you already been here??“
I was called in to xray and it turns out that my GP had given them the wrong information about the wrong wrist, which meant the technician had to chase down the doctor so he could change information in the system before the could proceed.
Long story short, this hospital is as ancient as dinosaurs and I’m not just talking about the building and the staff are somewhat rude and look as though the need a wash. I really shouldn’t say anything bad about the people that potentially save lives, but my experience here was just meh. The doctor was pleasant enough but I couldn’t get out of there quick enough.

I’ve managed living in the UK for nearly 4 years without a trip to A&E until…
Today.
[Walked into the office and picked up the phone]
Me: Hi yes, I’m a patient at the surgery, could I please speak to one of the doctors regarding a medical concern?
Blah blah blah
Doctor: You need to go to A&E straight away.
A taxi ride later… details were taken at the front desk through plexiglass. Then I waited, and waited and waited. I ventured to the lovely blue-​lit toilets (classy), but I still continued to wait. Finally 2.5 hours later, I get called back to another room where I have to wait yet again. This time I am subjected to overhearing two uni girls incessantly philosophising about the pettiest things, making me think this is actually worse than the actual reason I came to the A&E for. Then to my left I have the joy of overhearing all the nitty gritty details of a woman’s history of getting her abscesses drained. I am overwhelmed with complete and utter joy while I continued to wait some more.
Finally, an attending physician turned up.
Me: Blah blah blah I woke up with my eyelids swollen shut, I called my GP told him what was going on, he urged me to go to A&E
Physician: Yes, you’re eyelids are inflamed
Me: (not out loud) Thanks captain obvious, I didn’t need a medical degree to figure that out
Physician: Here are some drops, rest, if they get worse come back
Thanks?

I remember the battle trying to get my gran to appointments here. there was never a visist that wnt by with out some mix up or problem on their end. Note to them patients pegging it because they have been forgotten about in the waiting room is not how you get waiting lists down.

As most people know I’ve been around a few hospitals over the past few years and it just ain’t a nice experience.
I came here after I once again became breathless and my chest was mega crazy sore. So waiting in the A&E area was not the most pleasant. It’s a very small and cramped area, fortunately I had my boyfriend supporting me and I didn’t have to wait long. The staff were ok, mostly as I was screaming at them in pain and they gave me something for it, therefore calming down quite quickly.
After several tests/​x-​rays I was admitted. Now I used to volunteer at a Hospital Radio Station many moons ago and this was one of the hospitals I used to visit to collect requests. So I knew what these wards looked like so I was bit apprehensive about being admitted. I had been used to the brand sparkling new Hairmyres Hospital so I thought this is gonna be pure scabbie. I was pleasantly surprised and the ward was actually ok, although still run down looking, and the doctors and staff were actually pleasant and sypathetic. I have had much worse and that was at Hairmyres.
They gave me sufficient medication and were the first to follow up my condition but sadly they had to refer back to Hairmyres because of where I live. Overall it wasn’t as bad as I had expected, I think it depends on who’s on duty sometimes that determines your review.
PS Nobody came round to ask me for a radio song request. Boo!

i was a patient in the hospital a couple of weeks ago for surgery for breast cancer. the whole 4 days in hospital were a nightmare a few of the nurses on the ward were very poor and the food is extremely poor and not worth eating i developed cellulitis and was glad to get out on the mon after the op

It may sound strange but I have a bit of a soft spot for this place. Though, I have never had to attend this hospital (except for a few admin interviews which I didn’t get…), I know a few people who have been hospitalised here and other people who have worked here as nurses.
Given the reports and comments I’ve heard about it, it would seem that staff and patients agree that as far the NHS goes, this is a pretty alright hospital. In true signature Glasgow style, it’s in a lovely old listed building. This means, big rooms, great windows and lots of corridors as well as high heating and repair bills. Therefore, it’s no surprise that some parts of this building are a little dilapidated too.
However, overall, it does the job and I have heard no complaints about it. So, thumbs up — although, it would have been five stars if they’d have given me one of those damn jobs…

I have never been a patient in the Western but I have visited many people in this hospital over the years. As far as hospitals go I think it is a pretty standard NHS; busy, slightly crumbling in places, some good experiences, some bad experiences.
What I love most about visiting people at the Western however, are the views from the windows. One patient I know was in a private room overlooking Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow University, the art gallery and museum, the Armadillo, Glasgow tower and the Clyde. I think you would be hard pressed to find a better view than that anywhere in the world.

This hospital is near Glasgow Uni, on Dumbarton road across from the Transport Museum.
I had to go recently after calling NHS 24 and they made me an appointment of sorts within a 4 hour window which was ideal. The staff were compassionate and professional, which is much as you can ask for.
It’s near Kelvinhall tube station if you’re heading from the City Centre, though the Royal Infirmary is probably you’re best shout in that instance.
I can only vouch for the Outpatients department, but I know other people who have been properly hospitalised in here and never complained.
Hospitals are never a fun place to be for any reason, all you can ask for is that they are clean and staffed by qualified and experienced staff which in this instance is half true as some sections of the hospitals look a bit neglected in terms of facilities and the general presentation and maintenance of the toilets.
That being said, I would rather have my taxes going towards someone who knows what they’re doing rather than a fancy clean voice activated toilet or BBC i-​player embedded in my pillow or something.

I’ve just spent a bit of time there. i was in ward 10 east In the Phase 1 Building. The medical staff and everyone who work there are fabulous, then nurses are caring and approachable also very supportive. As for the building, thats another story. The phase 1 building is a mess. The lifts don’t work properly and just seem to go to random floors. One of the lifts even stops at every floor no matter what floor number you press. The place is old and antiquated and could do with a good scrub. The staff work against the odds in this place which is not an easy job. The food is hit and miss as hospital food can be, sometimes diabolical sometimes edible. They seem to serve peas a lot! The WH. Smith on the reception floor is a total rip off. Avoid if you can. There is a coffee shop which is very pleasant if expensive. However there is the canteen, which is hard to find, but its worth going to and you can get a good meal for less than £3.00.
No-​one like being in hospital but the western Phase 1 building is not a good reflection on an NHS hospital. Three stars and they are for the staff. Got to admit the views from the 10^th floor of Glasgow are spectacular.