I am really worried that this is going to turn into some sort of political rant but I guess i just…read morehave to say what I have to say. Firstly, as a retail outlet (I can't believe I'm saying that) St James', and particularly Gledhow wing, is well over priced. On entering I am reminded of an airport departure lounge and, in common with these, the retailers are aware that they are serving a captive audience and quite obviously have no problem in profiting from peoples misfortune. I'm sure that these shiny new retail units are making lots of money for someone and it's good to know that, somewhere, there are happy people. More worrying was the comment of the assistant in one of these retail units when I commented on the excessive profits. I won't repeat his words but his comment on who profits was clearly racist. As a hospital (yes they still have room for that sort of stuff) I was left feeling saddened and extremely worried. I ha ve been visiting St James' daily for the past three weeks and these are my overall impressions: I have the up-most respect for most of the individuals who provide nursing and support care but, as a qualified nurse, I worried that many staff seem under trained for the role they find themselves in and they are obviously very stressed. It is unacceptable to 'forget' a patients medication, neglect hygiene needs or protect patients from harm. Staffing levels are low and patient care suffers because of this. Recently I spent a night on the assessment ward where there were several patients in the corridor due to lack of space some of whom had been waiting 12 hours for a bed (and some of these patients were planned admissions, asked to come in because a bed was ready for them). Don't even get me started on the cost of parking........

After my recent stay in hospital.. I just want to say how amazing your staff are, from the cleaners…read moreall the way up the to the doctors. You did everything you could to help our situation and I just want to thankyou for that. So anyone who's worried about going to hospital don't you're in good hands I promise x

The Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) is a huge, sprawling hospital in the centre of Leeds and you'd be…read morewell advised to research exactly where in the hospital your appointment is before you arrive. It can easily end up being a long walk across town to find the right ward if you get it wrong. In spite of its large and sprawling nature the hospital is efficient. Waiting times are short and staff are attentive. Obviously, no one ever really wants to g to a hospital but if you do have to go to one you'd rather go to a nice, efficient one and "nice and efficient" describes the LGI well. As hospitals go it's not an awful place to be either. The wards and general areas are decorated nicely and there's art here and there. There's a Costa Coffee within the hospital as well as a gift shop and a roof top garden. The first version of the hospital was opened in 1771 by graduates of the University of Edinburgh Medical School but the current version opened in 1869 and has gone through several refurbishments, upgrades and expansions since. Much of the layout plans of the hospital were based on recommendations by Florence Nightingale. So, I would absolutely avoid ever coming here but only because it's a hospital and I would absolutely avoid ever going to any of them. If you have to be in a hospital the LGI is just fine. Besides, I was born here, so it gets extra points for that.

Get your appointment location wrong and you may be lost forever! Honestly, there are times when…read moreI've been sorely tempted to catch a bus to another part of the hospital. As with many large hospitals in big cities LGI has been remodelled and added to over the years with the result that there are carbuncles on the structure that even their best surgeon couldn't remove and lots of unexpected and seemingly pointless changes of level in order to get to your destination. Travelling through LGI is a real exercise in 4 dimensional travel. There are always going to be stories of horror, joy and grief in any hospital but my personal experience has been of rather inept management and administration coupled with caring, dedicated staff (in most areas) who do the best they can with more and more limited funding. It remains a personal bugbear that hospitals such as LGI now resemble shopping malls in places (with the exception of affordable, accessible parking). Oh for the days when you could grab reasonable refreshment from a basic but clean cafeteria run by volunteers.

Now that we've moved house we've started using Craven Road Medical Practice rather than its littler…read moresurgery on Holly Bank in Headingley as it's easier to get to and we don't have to re-register or anything. Parking facilities, plenty of seating, much more modern and more staff so it's easier to get an appointment. Also run lots of groups for free, which is great. It's like a social event when I go now - everyone's so friendly.

If you are ever in need of a doctors surgery in Leeds then Craven Road Medical Centre is just one…read moreof the many options. When registering with doctors in Leeds there is a system like some Primary Schools which concern your catchment area. Basically, if you live within a certain radius of the establishment then you can register here, if not there will be another that is nearer to you. It makes sense but is a little annoying if you are still moving house every year with the tide of students in the area, as you may have to switch doctors. The actual surgery itself is very comfortable to visit. It has a wide and spacious waiting room that doesn't smell of ill people (sometimes more crammed ones actually do, honestly) and some very sweet and helpful receptionists. It is generally not a very long wait to get an appointment and in an emergency they will happily look through for any cancellations, or other ways of suiting your needs to make you all better. Once registered, you can also obtain a username and password for online appointment booking or ordering repeat prescriptions. Just ask at the desk and see their website.

The average waiting time for an appointment here is 2 weeks and the alternative is the walk-in…read moreclinic on a morning. In my experience when you go to the walk-in clinic the receptionist rudely tells you what you can and cannot go to the clinic for. When you do see a doctor at this practice they are often rushed and do not want to spend too much time with you, and one of the doctors (female) has googled my symptoms every time I have seen her.

This has been my GP for approx 6 or 7 years now, the surgery recently got refurbished to and now…read moreholds a much attractive look to it both on the outside and the inside to. In addition to that they have added a car park now to which makes it easier for any one coming with a car here. The average wait i have to sustain for an appointment booked will be round about 6 days here approx. Surgery is busy and is also closed on a Thursday they do close late though each weekday they are open at 7. The services with the GPs though have been nothing but fantastic.

This is my doctors, and I've managed to stay on their list even though I live in Kirkstall, which…read moreis ace, because I love it here. They have another surgery on Craven Road I think, but this one is closer for me. It's a beautiful Victorian building, all high ceilings and big doors and windows, and there's a car park round the back (off Grove Lane), although it's meant to be for staff and disabled customers only but there's always plenty of space so I park there anyway. There's a nifty new electronic log-in when you arrive which is a bit confusing, but the reception staff are helpful if you need a hand. The practice nurse is hilarious and very good at relaxing you if you're a bit nervous.

If you have to go to the doctor's then you may as well go to a pleasant one and this could be it…read more A modern, spacious reception with the now usual digital display and TV showing looped health related material alongside a good range of information leaflets means that you may well diagnose yourself before seeing the doctor thus saving the NHS lots of money. There is an adjoining pharmacy and a good range of specialised support people and sessions. The only downside is the parking which is inadequate for a practice as busy as this. It would be unfair to finish without mentioning that the receptionist on my last visit was pleasant and helpful and had a large supply of patience (not your typical doctors receptionist at all)

New Croft Surgery is a fairly new surgery which is both welcoming and spacious. They do emergency…read moreappointments and are open fairly late. When I was unfortunate enough to warrant a visit here on an emergency appointment the staff were quick and efficient and very friendly and helpful. I went straight in to see a lovely doctor who was that nice to me that she made me cry! She quickly sussed out my situation and sorted me a prescription out. Even better is that they have a Lloyds pharamacy attached to the side of the building so it's really convenient to go and pick up what ever you need.

A car parking nightmare! Good Hospital with a pleasant cafe.read more

I went in with a friend as her caretaker in emergency. It was amazing to see how organized an NHS…read moreplace was. Don't take me wrong but usually those are a mess. The staff was very warm and caring, I just can't forget their attention and level of care to all needs of everyone in ER's. You all are go girls. Keep it up.