"Accidental fall in Barnard Castle "

Had a fall in Barnard Castle, ambulance to A&E at Darlington, transfer from paramedics to A&E staff was prompt and caring. Excellent care in A&E, CT Scan and radiology

Long waits for results of tests but understandable. Transferred to room on trolley while getting adequate pain relief for hip injury. Nurse transferred me to a bed and I remained in the room for the rest of my time at the hospital. Seen by physio late morning to assess mobility, lovely staff.

Able to go home in the afternoon, but I am from Cumbria and had no transport home.

My son was in Brighton but it would have taken 6 hours for him to pick me up, asked about hospital transport, and it was provided so I was on my way home in Paramedics car with a lovely student paramedics driver. From my accident at 5pm on Sunday and home at 5pm Monday, all my care was fantastic. I am battered and bruised with a torn eardrum and very painful hip, but recovering well .

The only negative aspects were food. Breakfast soggy toated white bread with spread I don't think it was butter! There didn't appear to be a choice. Lunch was a turkey sandwich, which came in cardboard box, a paper thin slither of processed turkey between 2 slices of white bread with the same spread. Hospitals should be making more effort with healthy food. Drinks also in cardboard takeaway cups, not easy for an 82 year old who couldn’t sit up properly. Also the waste generated by the plastic tumblers must be substantial and not eco friendly .I hope the patients on the wards are offered better food. I certainly couldn't have lived on what I was given for any more than 24 hours.