"Mixed experiences after my 96 year old mother's wrist fracture"

My mother fractured her right wrist recently and was admitted to hospital A&E. Long wait in corridor with many other patients.

Ambulance crew asked why we called an ambulance. We went through 111, it was them that directed the ambulance to us. We would have taken my mother to hospital if we possibly could have but she is very immobile, was in pain and is 96 years old.

Ambulance was called at 6pm and arrived at 7am the following morning. Checks made, bloods, ECG, x-rays etc. and eventually a plaster put on her wrist. Taken home by Age UK, excellent service.

Overall treatment good and well done to all the nursing staff, Dr's, and helpers. Had to call 999 as Mother had more pain two days after being discharged.

Next ambulance crew detected problem with Mum's heart, back to Stoke A&E. Waiting in corridor again, ECG, x-ray, bloods, and drip. Discharged the following day. Taken home by Age UK. Again well done to staff working under pressure and difficult times. So sad to see so many poorly people having to wait, mostly elderly and without anyone with them.

Back to Stoke on Tuesday for a follow up appointment for heart. Taken by patient transport to Stoke. Turned up on time and dropped at clinic. Transport booked by Stoke. More, bloods, ECG etc. and new medication for AF prescribed. Had to wait 3 hours for transport home. Disappointing as Dr and Nurses worked very hard to get Mother ready for 12.30 when transport said they would be back to collect us.

Following day, Mother had an appointment with Trauma and Orthopaedic Clinic at Wycombe hospital. Transport had been booked 2 days before appointment as requested with wheelchair and 2 persons to help. One crew member arrived and said she couldn't take Mother. Therefore, unable to attend the clinic. Very disappointing indeed as we had done everything to get Mother to Wycombe. The web site for Patient Transport needs to be greatly improved and made more user friendly.

Outcome, we now have to wait until later January for the next appointment at Wycombe. Plaster should only have been on for 1 week, therefore in our opinion is the plaster medically fit to be on Mother? Is it helping the fracture to heal?

Thank you to all the staff at Stoke Mandeville who work so hard to deal with all the patients coming into A&E. We appreciate your efforts.