I have had many an opportunity to visit the Heath hospital. Taking an elderly relative to out…read morepatient care and also A&E. And, I don't know whether it is because of the bad press the NHS has received over the years relating to impersonal service, neglect of patients, mal-practise, dare I go on, but every experience I have been part of during the course of an appointment, has been a more than favourable one. Doctors, well, they are always rushed for time, so you forgive their sometimes curt ways, but the staff from nurses to reception are all incredibly polite, warm, kind and helpful. It is like they all have taken a Florence Nightingale pill. I'm into 'personality' in a big way, because I think it is lacking in today's harassed society, but it means everything and is a wonderful placebo. The negative aspects to my time at the Cardiff hospital, and I think being on hospital grounds, there should be a bit of responsibility taken. Is the WHSmiths store. Every time I go in to purchase a paper, the programmed workers behind the counter refer to the WHS sales items that are blatantly stacked on the counter, so much so, that you hardly have room to place your purchases - These sales items, are always sugar coated treats. But, your intelligence and your senses are insulted completely by 'the hussle' to sell these sugar items, chocolate bars, candies and this is all happening in a hospital. I have pointed this irony out to the sales staff, but it has fallen on deaf and stubborn ears every time and I am brushed aside as if I have not even spoken. With diabetes and obesity running at an all time high, the pushing of such items - ESPECIALLY ON HOSPITAL TERRAIN - is not only an insult but terribly insensitive. I guess if they could get away with shoving cigarettes under your nose, they would do that too without another thought to their surroundings.

University Hospital of Wales, or Heath Hospital, as most locals know it, is one of the largest…read morehospitals in Wales. Due to its emphasis upon education, the hospital is full with students in every area, from nursing to radiotherapy. But this does not mean that the standard in lacking, instead it means that there is an air of learning and team playing that might not be as evident elsewhere. This hospital has a reputation for being understaffed, and this is probably true, as it is of most NHS hospitals these days. However, all my experiences have led me to believe that the staff really try as hard as they can, and I want to commend them for that. A little way to go, but nearly awesome.

easy to find if you know cardiff if you don't take a sat nav. Once you've found the main entrance…read moreit gets worse all the depts are spread out over a few streets and look more like derelict buildings

This practice was started in 1922 by Dr. J.D. Williamson who practised single-handed until, keeping…read moreit in the family, he was joined in the 50's by his two sons, Jock and David. The original premises were based at 175 Newport Road and 24 Splott Road. In 1957 Jock opened a branch surgery in his house at Druidstone Road, St. Mellons which operated until retirement in 1997. Out with the old, in with the new partners - and the current line-up of people who might make you feel better includes: The Doctors - Dr. Susan J. Morgan (F), Dr. Charles W. Allanby (M), Dr. Susan E. Trigg (F), Dr. Roger Evans (M), Dr. Joseph Pearson (M), and Dr. Ceri Walby (F). The Nurses - Trish Jones, Cerri Oxenham , Alison Petterson and Pat Jeremy. The nurses are available every day except Wednesday afternoons. They deal with clinical problems and health promotion including overseas travel advice, ear syringing, cervical smears and contraceptive advice. They will also talk to you about any health problems you may have or just give general advice without needing to see a doctor.

Turning a critical eye to an NHS doctor's surgery is as much to do with what hasn't occurred as…read morewhat has. In other words, unless one of the doctors discovered the cure for cancer or, conversely, subjected you to gross medical negligence, more often than not a visit to your GP is a fairly standard, mundane experience. And so it is with Clifton Surgery: the reception staff are friendly, the doctors reassuringly efficient and there's a pharmacy just up the road for all prescription-shaped needs.

I've just returned from an evening appointment at the Roath Clinic, and once again, my visit was…read moremarked by kindness, respect, and efficiency. A die-hard NHS fan, I'm continually impressed by the level of attention and care given to me, even down to a reminder call placed the day before my appointment. The ladies here are nothing short of stellar!

Llandough Hospital has an excellent reputation for care, cleanliness and facilities. Considering…read morethat this is an NHS Hospital, that's even more impressive (not that it's good, but that it has a good reputation). From the outside this hospital has a whole lot of charm. It's one long and tall brick building that seems to levitate on the top of a hill overlooking Penarth. Lots of gardens and space and flower beds add to the atmosphere of an old fashioned place. It's respectable in its traditional nature. And, now wait for it, because this is kind of cool, they have the world's first ever high definition MRI. Whoohoo!

As a Grangetown resident Llandough is my local. It is also the place I got my baby scans, came for…read morecheck ups and did an antenatal class. The building itself is old Victorian brick, much smaller and better laid out than the sprawling Heath Hospital. The vibe here is also much more chilled, less traffic, less urgency. I visited the midwife led unit as part of the antenatal class in order to weigh up my options. The unit is like a four start hotel - spacious rooms, double beds with duvets, birthing accessories and birthing pools. This is the place I wanted to give birth. Unfortunately with an old pelvic injury I was advised to go to the Heath hospital where they had surgeons on hand. If there were complications I would have had to wait for an ambulance like everyone else. If you drive here by car no need for coins, rather fantastically, unlike most other hospitals parking is free.

This is a hospital for cancer patients and quite easy to find. The staff are the best and there is…read morea feel to the hospital that unlike any other, but in a good way. Nice gardens could do with more parking spaces.