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.

Built on the site of the former Victorian St David's Hospital, which closed in 1990, the all-new…read morehospital opened in March 2002 offering brand new facilities to their mainstay: older people and rehabilitation patients. It is the first new hospital to have opened in Cardiff for 30 years. Today the 100-bed building includes a range of purpose-designed facilities including a 25-place day hospital and four wards dedicated to the care of older people. Patients have been relocated from the Royal Hamadryad and Lansdowne Hospitals. The Day Hospital is open five days per week and provides all-new amenities and furniture. St David's also offers: *Podiatry Services *Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Services *Respite Care *A community-based children's centre for West Cardiff *A primary dental care unit *A range of out-patient services.

My experience is only of the Acute Response Team, based at ST Davids…read more Parking is easy and convenient (remember to log your registration number at reception). Reception staff are very helpful and friendly, the hospital and grounds are very, clean quiet and relaxed. I cannot speak highly enough of the acute response team - caring, efficient, friendly and treat you with respect.

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!

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 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.

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.

Cardiff is sorely missing more mid size venues like the Globe. As a treasure in the centre of the…read morestudent area, the Globe has been a life saver for up and coming groups, alternative nights and those who appreciate live music. Inside is a quirky interior - apparently used to be a Chinese cinema - and the proscenium arch frames the new stage perfectly. With a projector for some modern VJ type backdrops, incense burning, lush fabrics and, psychedelic murals this place is bohemian without being pretentious. The bands are generally good quality and a good mix, although there are a few too many tribute bands, and mixes local bands with big name acts. The door prices fluctuate, but the bar is reasonable and the staff are friendly. It is unfortunate that the shape of the building means feedback can be a problem, and when busy it is really, really hot - big coat to walk there and then just a vest underneath! - but it is well worth keeping an eye on the listings. You never know, your favourite band might be on this month!

The Globe is up and running again after having its previous license removed after getting sound…read morecomplaints. It has plenty of new soundproofing so hopefully that'll keep neighbors happy. Anyway its good news for the Cardiff music scene, the more places the better I say. They haven't wasted time either, there's plenty of events filling up their calender. Its a great venue, with a great atmosphere. Haven't been seen it reopened but its set it what must be an old theatre so it has an upstairs area to view from if you don't fancy the pit and its just a really cool place.