"Except for the surgical team, it was a challenge. "

I recently donated a kidney and spent about three days in hospital as an inpatient, during which time I was shocked by the lack of communication, widespread incompetence, and the prolonged periods of pain I was left to endure. The staff, some of the rudest people I’ve encountered, behaved as though they were doing me a favour, often reprimanding me for trivial things. One night nurse even handed me a stack of wet wipes and told me to clean the cannula tubing myself while I was trying to sleep. I anticipated some challenges, but the reality was far worse than expected. On multiple occasions, I had to fetch my own water from the tap, only to be told on my final day by a staff member that the water wasn’t suitable for drinking. This experience has been an eye-opener regarding the National Health Service, and while it was deeply frustrating, I feel it has given me a deeper understanding of some of the system’s issues.