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"Inspirational and transformational"

About: University Hospital Monklands / Trauma & orthopaedics

(as a service user),

I was referred to the Hand Therapy Unit in University Hospital Monklands in December 2022, because I had broken both wrists badly about 3 months previously and had developed the neurological condition, CRPS. I was in pain, exhausted & movement in my wrists, hands & fingers was negligible; I was incapable of doing anything for myself. My partner was my carer 24/7 and was exhausted, not least having to get me up usually twice every night because of the pain. I felt totally lost, couldn’t see what to do to move forward. It was a bleak time. 

And then I had my first appointment with the hand therapist, Debbie. Without exaggeration, it was both inspirational and transformational. I’m not going to go into any real detail but while she worked on my hands etc she asked questions, listened, offered ideas & suggestions, all in a quietly professional, positive & intuitive manner: she very clearly seemed to be on my team.

She gave us hope, the most important thing we could have had at that point: we were, up until then, hopeless. For the first time in almost three months, we believed there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Many appointments later, lots (& lots) of well-focused activities and exercises to work on & so many wonderful skills rediscovered as a result (who would have thought lifting and drinking an espresso, turning a handle to open a door, zipping up my own jacket… would result in such joy!), trying to work round the setbacks because of the CRPS - the list is extensive but every example underlines the therapist’s incredible knowledge & skill and her ability to engage and inspire. I felt, always, that we were working as a team.

I’ve now had my last appointment, and while my hands aren’t fully functional - I was told at the outset, and again when CRPS was identified, some function would be irretrievable - what I can do is, literally, amazing & I still have pinch me moments. And I have the understanding of what I need to do to stay amazing! I am, most definitely, not the woman I was at my first appointment: I am so grateful to be the real me now. And I’m even more grateful to have been able to work with an outstanding hand specialist.

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Responses

Response from Marjorie McGinty, Head of Improvement, Quality Directorate, NHS Lanarkshire 9 months ago
Marjorie McGinty
Head of Improvement, Quality Directorate,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 29/09/2024 at 14:46
Published on Care Opinion at 14:46


picture of Marjorie McGinty

Dear Wonder-elle

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your experience at University Hospital Monklands. I am sorry to hear that you have had such a difficult and painful time. I am pleased to hear that you had such a positive outcome from your sessions with Debbie. I will pass on your lovely feedback to her and I am sure she will be delighted to hear it.

thank you and best wishes on your ongoing recovery

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Response from Ruth Currie, Acting Head of Physiotherapy, NHS Lanarkshire wide, NHS Lanarkshire 9 months ago
Ruth Currie
Acting Head of Physiotherapy, NHS Lanarkshire wide,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 01/10/2024 at 15:01
Published on Care Opinion at 15:01


picture of Ruth Currie

Dear Wonder - elle,

Many thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experience with our hand therapy service. I was so sorry to read of your wrist fracture and development of CRPs - it really is a very painful condition which can greatly limit your ability to use your hand. This must have been a very distressing time for you.

I am delighted to read your appointments with Debbie, our advanced practitioner occupational therapist were inspirational and transformational. We will be sure to pass this on to her and the rest of the hand therapy team. I know she will be encouraged to know her input has had a positive benefit to you and your family.

Keep up those exercises and activities!

Kind regards,

Ruth

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Response from Tracey Stark, Occupational Therapy Team Leader, University Hospital Monklands, NHS Lanarkshire 9 months ago
Tracey Stark
Occupational Therapy Team Leader, University Hospital Monklands,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 03/10/2024 at 11:41
Published on Care Opinion at 11:49


Dear Wonder-elle

Many thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experience and the positive impact you had working as a team with Debbie, Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist in Hand Therapy.

I am delighted to hear the progress you have made and continue to make in your recovery on hand function. It really is these types of activities that matter to us.

It will be a pleasure to pass on the positive feedback to Debbie and the Hand Therapy team, it will give the team a boost to hear that you continue to see improvement with your hand function.

I wish you well in your ongoing recovery journey

Tracey Stark

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