"Lost property"

On arrival at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (Ward 210), I was directed to a bed and asked to change into a hospital gown in preparation for my operation. I duly did this, and placed the clothes I had on, in the locker beside my bed. This consisted of my coat, leggings, top, vest top and bra. I also placed my pyjamas and dressing gown in the locker in preparation for my return from the operation. The rest of my belongings, including toiletries, I left in my suitcase.

Post op, I was taken to the High Dependency Unit for two days. On return to ward 210, I was placed in a different room from the room I was admitted to.

I asked several times for someone to bring my clothes from the original bedside locker only to be informed there were no clothes in that locker!

Several nurses looked for the clothes to no avail. The suitcase however was brought through to me which was a relief.

On discharge, I was moved to the Discharge Lounge - still no sign of my missing clothes so I had to go home with no coat on and it wasn’t the warmest of days given it was early March.

I have a rare and aggressive cancer, which added to the stress of my missing clothes (worth a significant amount of money) and certainly did not enhance my patient experience in any way.

I have spoken to staff in ward 210 since my discharge home but nobody can trace my missing clothes.

I know NHS Lothian does not take responsibility for property left on their premises but I’d say that the loss of a whole outfit plus pyjamas and dressing gown is bordering on the ridiculous!