Zena had her hip replaced in March at St Albans City Hospital, three months after her consultant referred her and marked the operation 'urgent'.

Her account paints a picture of committed staff battling dirty windows, a lack of hot water and heating, broken lifts and showers, and general neglect.

Since surgery was shifted to St Albans cancellation rates have rocketed and Zena, now 87, says perfectly good wards and operating theatres at Hemel Hempstead Hospital are lying idle.

New boss at West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust Jan Filochowski has admitted the switching of surgery to St Albans was a 'mess up' but he says things are now improving.

However, Zena's story shows there is still some way to go.

Tuesday 4th March
Had to be at St Albans for 7.30am so had to leave by 6.45am. Had to starve from Monday night ready for the operation on Tuesday.

Had expected to be in Becket Ward but it was closed because of lack of staff. There is no bed for me. I have to sit and wait for my operation. It was delayed due to a problem with equipment for the operation before mine as they had to wait for replacement equipment. I went down for my operation around 1.00pm.

I was in recovery for some time as my blood pressure was very low. Eventually I was taken up to De la Mere ward. My blood pressure was still low.

Wednesday 5th March
I was on painkillers, oxygen and a saline drip. Daughter in Devon and son in Australia unable to speak to me as there is no phone on the ward except at the nurses station.

Friday 7th March
The nurses are having to do 13-hour shifts and as many are from Hemel Hempstead it means they have the half hour plus drive each way on top.

A senior nurse washing me one day warned me she might be called away to help in the operating theatre. The nurses are wonderful and the care good. They deserve better. They are run off their feet.

Saturday 8th March
The window in a side room fell out and they had to get workmen in to repair it. Apparently it happened in the main ward a few weeks ago and there is a sign on the bottom windows saying that they should not be opened.

Sunday 9th March
My visitors today had to come through a silent and dark hospital with all doors locked, including toilets. All visitors are having to pay £3 to park every time they come to see patients and for those who are in for some time it is a burden on their families.

The heating and hot water broke down in the evening. It is a very cold night. The nurses have put four blankets on my bed.

Monday 10th March
The heating was off in the whole block and not fixed until late afternoon. Both lifts broken down too so 18 operations had to be cancelled. They are now replacing the lift that has been out of order for some time.

I have heard that however many patients the ward has, from one to 28, only three nurses are allowed to work overnight.

I had been suffering pains in my lower right side and thought they were due to bruising but asked for an x-ray. At 11.30am I was given the news that I have a tiny chest infection and will be put on antibiotics.
I was woken at midnight to be given my first antibiotics. Everyone is so busy they are all run off their feet.

Tuesday 11th March
Cleaning inspection being done. I have no complaints about the cleaning it is very good and thorough but the windows are filthy. This is because they are now only cleaned annually.

I went to the toilet for the first time using my new replacement hip. It was hilarious. Somehow we had to get in me, my catheter, zimmer and a member of staff. I'm afraid the toilet was just not big enough. Good job the catheter is going tomorrow!

Toilet for visitors on top floor is suffering from 'rising damp' and the plaster is bubbling and disintegrating. It looks very neglected.
The cordless phone brought over by staff won't work.

Friday 14th March
I understand that people are being moved from Watford to St Albans two days after their operations as there is no room at Watford since Hemel orthopaedics were closed.

This morning there was no hot water. When I wanted a biscuit the nurse couldn't find me one. I have to share my zimmer with the bed next to me as there aren't enough. I was able to speak to my son David in Australia as I was able to get to the nurses' station using a zimmer.

Saturday 15th March
No hot water again this morning. It was barely lukewarm. I could now go to Gossoms End (intermediate care unit in Berkhamsted] but there are no beds available. There are not enough pillows and we can't have soup in cups because there aren't enough cups.

Sunday 16th March
Again the water was barely warm. Apparently it is because the water heating is turned on so late and there are so many patients. A patient went down the ward as the toilet in the bay was occupied and the seat broke. She nearly fell off but managed to save herself.

Monday 17th March
I am going to Gossoms End for rehabilitation today. Today there was only one zimmer for all six beds. I asked for a shower but was told that it was broken. Again the water was cold.


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