"The expertise and professionalism across the teams was outstanding!"

My teenage son recently broke his leg playing rugby. He was brought to Causeway ED. The ENP nurses - Kerry and Tom -  and HCA Katrina who looked after him were just amazing. He was in a lot of pain and terrified and everyone was just so good and supportive to him at this vulnerable time.

He was treated quickly from x-ray to being set in a cast. Sabrina the radiographer talked and educated him about what was happening and all the equipment used to take the images. The fractures in his leg were identified and he was discussed with Orthopaedics in Altnaglevin by Kerry. This led to him being told he could go home but he needed to have surgery to pin his ankle.

We were given verbal and written advice and specific instructions until we heard from Altnaglevin. We got a phone call then and because my son has T1DM he was to be first on the list for surgery on the Monday morning. He had to be into Children’s Ward (6) for 7.30am fasting.  We arrived that morning were looked after by 3 nurses -   Aoibheann, Kylie and Alex.

My son was throughout prepped for theatre and assessed by Mr Hegarty and his registrar! Things were very efficient. My son was taken to theatre at 11:50am. We met with the Consultant Anaesthetist and her registrar also prior to surgery and they were happy with his insulin pump and continuous glucose sensor which is a closed loop system remaining on  for surgery.

He went through his operation with no issues. He was back to the ward late afternoon and it took him a while to recover from the anaesthetic. We stayed overnight with no issues. Daphne the paediatrics DSN came to check on him and make sure he was able to eat and blood sugars okay.  The next morning Mr Hegarty was happy for my son to be discharged with strict NWB through his foot/cast and for review at fracture clinic in a to check his wound. He has had this and is now in a cast for review again very soon. 

My son, me and my husband just want to thank everyone in the Causeway and Altnaglevin for everything you did after his injury. It was just exceptional and the speed and efficiency of everything that happened was amazing. The  expertise and professionalism across the teams was outstanding! We really do thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful NHS with people so talented in it! Thank you again.