Communication and language barriers
I was sent to the assessment unit at Heartlands hospital by my GP, due to concerns about my kidney function. The care was good but I experienced communication difficulties with the doctor. I have nothing but respect for the doctors and nurses working for the NHS but when you struggle to understand the doctor who is trying to explain what tests are going to happen and what your diagnosis and treatment plan is you need to be able to understand them and they need to be able to understand you. The doctors spoken English was very poor and I did not feel that they understood me either.