Your NHS: 'I was dreading operation at Whipps but saw no evidence of poor care'

Mark O’Neill, of Oakdale Gardens, Chingford, underwent surgery on his foot on May 6 and recovered in Sage Ward for three days.

He had broken his foot eight years ago while playing football and the bone had fused incorrectly causing him increasing pain.

He was then referred to the Leytonstone hospital for an operation to reset it.

The 57-year-old said he was dreading being treated at the hospital after a damning Care Quality Commission (CQC) report earlier this year found extensive failings of care.

He said: “I was quite worried after following the news about how poorly the CQC rated the hospital.

“I spoke to people saying I was going for an operation and they all said ‘oh dear you shouldn’t go there’, I was dreading it and thought something bad was going to happen.

“But in my experience I can’t say a bad word about the hospital, I was on the waiting list eight months but I understood it was not an emergency procedure.

“On the day of my operation I thought I would be waiting all day but I arrived at 7.30am and was in the operating theatre by 9.30am."

Mark O'Neill had an operation to reset his broken foot.

Mr O’Neill returned to the hospital yesterday (May 18) to replaster his foot, which will take around six months to heal.

He said he was pleasantly surprised at the attitude and treatment he received from staff.

“The nurses were great even the ones on the night shift were really nice, they said if I was feeling any pain I should press the buzzer and they would be with me straight away," Mr O'Neill added.

“Reading the papers I almost expected them to be overworked, frustrated and tired.

“But they were really attentive, not rushed off their feet, going to each bed in the ward at least six times a day asking if we needed anything.

"They deserve some credit for the great work they do.

“I know there are massive problems at the hospital but in my experience I didn’t see any evidence of it.”