| As the 6th May 2010 draws ever closer and general | | | | was clean and friendly. |
| election fever hits new heights I wanted to decide | | | | Right from my first visit to the hospital for my 12 |
| who to vote for. I started to look into each of the | | | | weeks scan I knew I had made the right choice. The |
| main parties policies to give me a balanced view and | | | | midwives and doctors were professional and caring |
| so I could make an informed decision. As the debates | | | | and the hospital facilities were clean and comfortable. |
| raged I took a particular interest in Health polices and | | | | I had a few issues towards the end of my |
| the NHS. Much has been written about the reform | | | | pregnancy which meant I needed to be monitored on |
| that Barack Obama has pushed through congress | | | | a daily basis. The staff were kind and reassuring and |
| recently in the USA, moving them to a system more | | | | endlessly patient with my anxious questions. |
| closely aligned to the NHS (although still far from it). | | | | When the big day arrived and I went into labour the |
| Following this I wanted to know what our NHS was | | | | midwives and doctors were incredibly supportive and |
| really like. | | | | caring and made sure I had everything I needed to |
| After much research, I realized that sometimes the | | | | get me through what was a pretty tough day! And |
| best insight comes from people who have had first | | | | when my daughter was born the midwives provided |
| hand experience. My wife gave me the lowdown on | | | | the best cup of tea and toast ever. |
| her experience of Harrogate District Hospital. | | | | All in all my experience at Harrogate Hospital was |
| "In the age of patient choice it still came as a surprise | | | | very positive and I never hesitate to recommend |
| to me when my GP asked me which hospital I | | | | them to friends. In fact one of my friends is |
| wanted to use for my antenatal care during my first | | | | currently undergoing treatment with the Ear, Nose |
| pregnancy. Luckily for me, because of my job, I have | | | | and Throat department and has been surprised at |
| visited many hospitals around the UK so after a | | | | the excellent service she has received in an NHS |
| moments hesitation replied – Harrogate District | | | | hospital. |
| Hospital. I didn't know much about the antenatal | | | | So when I found out I was expecting my second |
| services at Harrogate but I did know they had a big | | | | baby recently and my midwife asked me which |
| car park (vital for all those post birth visitors - you | | | | hospital I wanted to use, I didn't have a moments |
| wouldn't want to spend hours looking for a parking | | | | hesitation in saying Harrogate District Hospital! |
| space when you are in Labor!) and that the hospital | | | | |