"Staff brilliant but service not user-friendly"

After waiting for almost 4 years for a hip replacement my condition has deteriorated significantly and I find it very difficult to get around.

When I went for my pre op assessment recently I was astounded when I was sent to various other departments, from X ray to ECG during the process of my assessment.

In most cases the other departments were really distant from the clinic and I was exhausted by the time I got home.

I wasn't alone.

The nature of orthopaedic referrals would, perhaps, suggest that some patients have reduced mobility but don't necessarily need a wheel chair.

Some pre planning would make things so much easier.

For instance I attended my pre op assessment on the eighth floor of my local hospital and was immediately sent for an x ray...back down the eight floors to where I had been before I set off on my travels!

Back up to the eighth floor...then back down again for an ECG ... just next door to the X ray department.

The staff are brilliant, but I can't in all honesty say that the service was user friendly.

Some joined- up thinking could keep patients safe and happy and reduce appointment times not to mention air miles....going up and down in crowded lifts....