"Broken Hip, A&E, operation post operative care"

I had an accident on my bicycle resulting in a hip fracture requiring a Dynamic Hip Screw.

My experience at Victoria Hospital was an overwhelmingly positive one.

The accident happened on a Sunday and I was transported to the hospital by Ambulance. There, there was a modest wait in the ambulance whilst the hospital confirmed potential capacity for me. By that time, the hypothesis was I had a broken hip.

Once admitted to A&E I was treated respectfully and efficiently by the medical team. They recognised I was in very considerable pain. But took a practical approach before administration of further painkillers to try and establish if I had any peripheral injuries.

I was then quickly sent to x-ray to determine the exact nature of the injury and administered some powerful painkillers. On returning from x-ray I was advised of the nature of the injury, and informed an operation would be required. Before being transferred to the Ward for pre and post operative care the A&E team injected a further painkiller into the nerve. Using a student under supervision which I was very happy to happen and enable the student to learn.

Once admitted to the ward I was very well treated by the nursing staff and made comfortable. The following morning I was advised I would be operated on that day, prepared for the operation which was subsequently cancelled. Care throughout the day was kind, warm and very considerate. The nurses recognised I was not a patient with dementia.

On the Tuesday I was informed I would be operated on by a nurse who confess I needed to be washed ahead of my operation. On checking the chart, the nurse decided I had already been washed and it would not be necessary. I respectfully advised I had not been washed, I was happy to wash myself and the chart must be reflecting the previous day. We had series of may be 3/4 exchanges -  Nurse: yes you have, me: no I haven't - before the nurse provided me with a bowl to wash myself. I latterly realised the nurse probably thought I had dementia as it was widespread on the ward.

I then met the Consultant who confirmed I would be operated on the that day

I was taken down for my operation, where I met some other members of the excellent surgical team, they confirmed I was happy with the consent I had signed the night before. From where the process quickly progressed. Next thing I knew I was back to the ward where I was greeted by the nurse I had seen first thing. There was a similar exchange, this time the suggestion was I had set the call alarm off. Which I hadn't, the nurse was there. After a repetitive exchange the nurse noted it had come unplugged and nothing to do with me. Nurse left. I noted my table with water was out of reach. Thinking this particular nurse would not thank me for calling on them, I decided to get out of bed with the intention of reaching over to grab the table. Unfortunately my operated leg gave away and I fell to the floor. Fortunately a couple of different nurses noted I had fallen (was in a side room) and came to assist. I was unable to get up without their help.

I was visited by OT a couple of times ensure I could get in and out of bed. The physio team brought me a Zimmer on the Wednesday and showed me how to use it. On the Saturday the nurse in charge noticed I had been up on my Zimmer and I had a clear sense my presence was no longer welcome. I explained until I saw a physio, got some crutches and could walk up the stairs I understood I could not be discharged. Nurse arranged for physio and used all my will power to ensure I passed staircase test and be discharged.

Overall other than the nurse who lumped everyone in with the dementia patients it was an excellent experience given it was one I would not have a chosen. It was clear to me the whole medical team were under immense pressure to deliver care in situation where demand has outgrown capacity. I am deeply grateful for the care provided by everyone from the Ambulance crew through to the Nurse who recognised my potential to be discharged.