The old Papworth hospital was famous for its duck pond. It is rumoured that heart transplant patients were ready to go home when they could do a lap of the pond
I have not seen the new Papworth and was wondering if the landscaping included a duck pond? 🦆
Just the Burger King as I understand it
What - Burger King in a heart hospital. Next it will be vegan breakfasts with egg and bacon side! 😁
We are going there on Friday so will let you know 😅
I know, I’m assuming it was ironic. But a friend who was in Papworth in April confirms. Hopefully they have a lift from the Burger King to the Cath lab!
I love Burger King burgers but the thought of one in a hospital is surprising - like you I do wonder about a lift straight to the Cardiac Cath lab!
We were there just recently but can't confirm as we were running 20 mins late for the appt due to the sheer volume of traffic!! Very stressful!
Glad we booked an Airbnb for the night before 👍
Very good idea, we're not too far from the new hospital but it really was so stressful due to all the roadworks and diversions. Do let us know how you get on, on Friday.
We are coming up from Somerset so could take us over 5 hours depending on traffic, not looking forward to it at all ! The place we are staying is 9 mins from the hospital so hopefully no roadworks on the way as appt is 9am !! Will let you know how it goes.
We were there a few weeks ago and stayed at a place that was less than ten minutes away but with all the roadworks and traffic were advised it would take an hour. Which it did!! So give yourself plenty of time and allow extra if you need to find a parking space.
Having spoken to a few people whilst there, it seems like some of the regulars go in much earlier than necessary and have breakfast and read the paper when they arrive to 'kill time' before their 9.00am appointments.
Even some of the staff have elected to cut down their working days because of the issues driving to work! Good Luck
The main Addenbrookes' hospital has accomodation available. I used this when I had at 7:00am appointment there last November as I did not getting up at 4:00am. 😴 Basic but clean.
I rarely visit this forum now but can confirm that the new Papworth has a duckpond ( with ducks) and landscaping with trees and a small wildflower meadow - all very new still, but very pleasant.
We went by train: one of the advantages over the old Papworth.
There is a good in-house cafe restaurant and a Costa coffee - definitely not a Burger King!
I think there is some confusion here with Addenbrooke's, which tried to get rid of its Burger king ( the last, I think, in an NHS hospital) but found the contract, which runs to 2024, too expensive to break.
All the best to you all, and especially for the appointment bantam12.
That's good to hear! 🦆 🦆 🦆
I went by train as there are excellent bus links. Had a coffee in the Costa (main hospital) when I arrived and went back for for my supper. Nothing for breakfast the next day as had a procedure and then spent night on the ward.
I grew up only a few miles from the old hospital and was sad to see it close as there is so much history there. It started life as a TB hospital and I believe my Great Grandfather passed away there when my Grandfather was only 8. I also remember the duck pond and how I loved going to the fetes there as a child. They don't make hospitals like this anymore!
Yes, you’re right Michael. I have a photo of me feeling triumphant as I had finally made the walk to the duck pond after my heart transplant at the old site earlier this year! We couldn’t walk around it at that time as it was partially fenced off, but I wasn’t well enough to go any further anyway! Each walk I would be able to get a little nearer to the door & fresh air, then finally made it outside and saw bluebells and buds on the plants - I burst into tears! The pond and ducks on the new site will hopefully become as iconic as the old site with time to settle in, just like my new heart is settling in to my body!!
The old hospital was 'very special' but it is obvious that there are medical advantages to the the New Papworth. The village was also very welcoming. My hubby loved escaping the wards to visit the duckpond in a wheelchair, sometimes sitting having an ice cream, it was doing something 'normal' again after being in hospital for such a long time. We were told that the duck pond was non negotiable when they moved but I don't know if the black swans went along too.
I know it is progress but the family atmosphere of the old hospital is missing at the new place.
many years ago (1983) I had the privilege to spend 19 days as a medical student in the old Papworth.
I travelled by over night bus from my Uni in the far north.
I was stunned to see the little duck pond after the nocturnal trail of service stations.
I had an evolving interest in Transplantation and was honoured to be able to watch the first heart lung transplant there.As a consequence of the amazing time I spent there
I went on to train as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
I retired young to become a carer for my partner who has progressive multiple sclerosis.
I too have never forgotten that Duck pond.
DH had a long stay in Addenbrookes this year - a word to the (food) wise they have a M & S Food which sells their lovely salads & some microwave type food, a Subway, several Newsagents type places which sell sandwiches etc & a main café/restaurant & coffee shops, in a food hall (dh had a 6 week stay he is fine now) there is also a shop which sells pj for men & nightwear for ladies. nb you can find gluten free sandwiches in M&S & some of the Newsagents, We went on several -l-o-n-g walks around the hospital. Many buses go into the hospital there is a mini bus station at the front of Addenbrookes & the small enclosed Garden at the back -
Oh I also forgot park & ride out at Babraham where the bus goes into the Hospital
Definitely NO BurgerKing in Papworth which is a totally separate building from Addenbrookes. Sadly, some of tents (presumably sleeping homeless people) on the lovely grass - in one of the biggest economies in the world....
Best Birthday Present- hopefully!!
