"Broken ankle"

Dear Beverley,

Firstly, we would like to apologise that you felt the need to raise a complaint via this website regarding the treatment and diagnosis you received during your initial visit to the Urgent Treatment Centre at the Cumberland Unit, on the 22nd September 2024.

Having reviewed your notes and the clinical assessment, the practitioner at the time completed a thorough examination for the history and presenting condition that you attended with. If the history of the incident and the clinical presentation suggested a fracture, under the Ottawa Ankle Rules you would have been x-rayed at the time. You were correctly safety netted and advised to return within 5 -7 days if your symptoms had not improved. I see that you did return following the initial advice, on the 29th September 2024.

During this assessment the practitioner’s examination matched that of the previous practitioner's and an x-ray was offered under a therapeutic aspect, as your symptoms had not improved after 7 days. Having discussed this with the member of staff they felt that given your presentation and their thorough examination, a watch and wait approach was justified at the time of your initial presentation, however due to ongoing pain it was decided to x-ray, to rule out any bony injury.

I am really sorry that you had a negative experience, and that you believed there was a delay in your diagnosis. We will ensure that your case will be discussed with all staff for future learning opportunities.

I really hope that you make a speedy recovery, apologies again

Kind Regards

Kayleigh Veale

Lead Nurse Practitioner & Nurse Manager,

UTC Cumberland Centre