As a person who comes from a place that has no local hospitals (the nearest is an hour away, and…read morethat's a country hospital, so it's pretty small), the HUGENESS of the place baffled me at first. The inpatient food isn't bad, especially the puddings, but they only have a two week menu. I'd recommend a jacket potato, and avoid the sandwiches. (sounds silly but when you spend a lot of time In hospital you need to know these things.) Everybody here is supportive and will try their best to keep you in the know about what and why is happening. I have never sat there with an alarm bleeping for more than five mins. This is a fantastic achievement by the busy staff who will do everything to keep you comfortable. I would recommend this place to anyone who doesn't like hospitals, this place knows you don't want to be there, and ensures that your visit will be as short as possible without you having to come back too soon.

The first thing to note about this hospital is that it is huge. If you go through the main…read moreentrance, it's like an airport or train station. There's loads of glass and space, it's very bright. There's a Costa Coffee, a WH Smiths and a cafe right by the doors as well as a handy information desk. Outside is also a fruit and veg stall that's great value for money. The hospital is well sign posted, so you can easily find what department you're looking for. Outpatients has colour coded chairs in the waiting areas so you know where to sit. There are also staff that are very friendly and willing to help you if you need it. The hospital is well served by public transport, with buses to Halesowen, Solihull, Birmingham and West Brom as well as being a couple of minutes walk from University station on the cross city line. There is a car park but it's very expensive. There are disabled spaces by the main entrance but there aren't many of them and the road can get very busy with cars and buses. A couple of years ago I broke my ankle (the "most spectacular broken ankle" according to the doctor in A&E) and was taken here. I was seen quickly by the doctors in A&E and x-rays were done fast as was the setting off the bones and the plaster cast. It took about two hours all together (I think, I was still very drunk at the time). I had to spend a week in hospital before surgery. The wards were clean and the nurses were friendly. The surgeon who fixed my ankle explained the procedure and was very helpful. Now there were some issues with my stay. Firstly, the food is awful. I found myself getting my husband to take me down to Costa to buy panini's in the evening. Secondly, I found the doctors who looked at my ankle talked over me. They would come in, have a poke around and then leave without saying a word to me. Thirdly, the date of my surgery kept changing, which is very frustrating when you just want to go home. Fourthly, I was given crutches but not shown how to use them so the first time I tried to take myself to the bathroom I lost my balance and tried to steady myself with my broken ankle. I've been back regularly since being discharged as an outpatient and for physiotherapy. I've been well looked after and received great care from the staff that I've seen.

Do not park in their car parks, they are usually full and a total rip-off. You'll get charged a…read morefair penny just to get out of the car park. There is a drop off area if you do drive in, just don't go through the money grabbing barriers. There is a nice hosing estate opposite, park there.

The physio I saw was so bad I complained. Might have just been bad luck, but when you have had knee…read moresurgery you don't expect a physio to bang your leg on the floor when using a wheelchair and not notice? I ended up crying in pain in the corridors and the physio told people I was fine! She was more interested in updating the computer, telling me about her holiday and worrying about the next patient than doing any physio!! £45 for 30 mins of humiliation and pain. Went to another Nuffield and they were superb. Will do a write up on them too! If you go, do complain if the treatment is poor. I only had one physio appointment there but it was enough to know I will never go back. shudders

My dad and grandad have both been in this small private hospital, and its absoultly lovely, i think…read morebecause that the hospital is so small both the doctors and nurses have more time for the patients. Lovely place, definatly recommend it if your looking for a private hospitsal to go in.

I've worked here for 18 years. The people of the area and my colleagues here are really friendly…read moreand welcoming. Like lots of older hospitals it spreads over quite a large area. I have to devote a lot of time if I want to go from one end to the other, not that it's that far, but simply because people always want to stop and pass the time of day in a friendly manner. There is nothing like black country warmth! I'm really proud of the healthcare services that the hospital provides the local people. I grew up in an area some of the West Bromwich down in South Wales.

Sandwell General Hospital is one of the main Hospitals that operate in the Birmingham and West…read moreMidlands area. Being a Hospital patient is not a nice feeling and I have been in that position before. There are millions of people who are being treated in Hospitals across the world and I know exactly how they feel. I have had an operation at Sandwell General Hospital and the staff at the Hospital looked after me very well. I did find it difficult to sleep and the bed at times was uncomfortable. The Hospital food was not brilliant either but then again we have heard many people complain about the food at Hospitals. I can only speak about the way I was treated and those who did look after me did a great job. They regularly checked up on me to seek if I was OK and asked if I wanted anything. Staff at the Hospital were first-class and I have nothing but praise for the job they did.

If you have a choice DO NOT GO to this hospital- unfortunately many don't have that choice, care is…read moremediocre at best. If your on the main wards do not expect help any time soon. My mom has had to be admitted twice now due to an emergency. The first time she left in a worse state than when she went in. This time she's was overloaded with fluids to the point her whole body was swollen and she couldnt breath. I told the nurses who said shes not swollen. Well the next day she was placed on "water pills" which made a considerable difference. Except now she needs help to use the bathroom. Nurses don't get to her for about 20-30 minutes, by then she's wet and it takes another hour for them to come clean her. They are late on the administration of meds and then we have an imbecile of a dr who wants DNR papers signed without telling us why and what this means. I dont get it. This place has lost its good, caring and empathetic people and we are left with low quality care.

I only had dealings with this hospital for two sets of circumstances, which coincidentally occurred…read moreat the same time. I broke my ankle in 2007 and my wife who was 8 months pregnant at the time took me here as we lived nearby at that time. My wife went in to get a porter to see if one could wheel me in on a trolley, it was evening-time and none were around. So my wife tried to wheel me in, I told her not to bother and "hopped in" which really hurt. I had major surgery on my ankle the next day, and stayed for 3/4 days. The toilets were an absolute disgrace and looked like they were cleaned as often as Wolverhampton wins "the Britain in Bloom competition". I recall early one morning two tea-ladies came round the ward but forgot (or couldn't be bothered) to ask me if I wanted a drink as they were too busy gabbing away. This really annoyed me as being a tea-lady is hardly rocket science. When I came to go home my still heavily pregnant wife had to carry my holdall and gear to the car as I was now on crutches. No staff even offered to help. Next month my wife gave birth here and she stayed for nearly a week, the maternity section was better, but not much more. We moved to a nicer part of the UK soon after, thank god. My ankle is better (sometimes) but I certainly wouldn't recommend this poor hospital to anyone.

It seems strange to 'review' a hospital in this country, but this one is slightly different I…read moresuppose. There is theoretically a choice for pregnant women about how and where they give birth, so I think it's worthy of a comment. I can only speak about the ante natal and birth experience, which I found to be generally really good. The hospital is a bit of a nightmare to get to when you're heavily pregnant or in labour. For my first we had to park outside the front door as it really was an emergency and I hobbled in. However, not long after I was admitted my husband was warned that we'd get a very expensive ticket if the car stayed where it was (it was parked properly, but you're only allowed a very short time.) Luckily my sister was able to move the car, otherwise I would have been left alone in a very stressful situation while my husband disappeared to sort out parking. This all seems a bit wrong to me. In terms of the care I received during both my birthing experiences, it was absolutely brilliant. Both were very different but the midwives were fantastic. I really can't fault the care I received during this period at all. Post birth, it wasn't quite so good. The wards were very busy both times I gave birth and the staff were rushing around. I felt very lonely, especially after the birth of my first child as I had no idea what to do. I was desperate to leave the hospital and go home after each birth. However, when it really mattered to me, during the birth process, they were brilliant.

Regionally the Women's is a big busy maternity unit. Good access by road, car and train.read more

My first time at this hospital bringing a relative for treatment. As I was sat there all day…read morewaiting, I was in a position to observe the everyday bustle which goes on in all NHS hospitals. ALL staff I spoke to were very very pleasant and helpful. Walking through the corridors I am so impressed with the cleaniness and how diligent the cleaners are. Even the receptionists cleaned their work area. The restaurant was also very clean, and were clearing and cleaning the seating areas regularly. I have unfortunately had regular visits to Heartlands and Solihull and they are filthy dirty and rarely saw a cleaner. Well done to you all. Susan Robinson, Solihull

No problem with the hospital itself (I mean, it's a hospital, there are good and bad in every one,…read morebut no-one likes being there) however, I would like to say something about the shop in the outpatients department. This is a hospital where there are sick people, miserable relatives, and hundreds of people who have been waiting hours and hours to see a consultant / get an x-ray etc. If you're going to volunteer to work in a hospital shop, do it because you want to help out. You don't have to make small talk, but at least smile. Unfortunately, the women running this shop were just downright rude. They were patronizing, had no patience when I couldn't find my purse, and tutted when my brother asked to add something at the last minute. Very disappointing. The rest of the hospital staff were great, though.

Walsall Palliative Care Centre has a day hospice and a small over night ward…read more The staff are always willing to help and very friendly. There is plenty of parking. As you sit in the waiting area to be seen relaxing music is played to help put you at ease. The build is new and vibrant and is more of a home from home.