"Excellent Care"

I fell and badly fractured my left ankle in December 2023. I was operated on and a plate and screws inserted in January 2024 (an open reduction).

When I was at the Fracture Clinic thereafter to have stitches removed, I felt really unwell and could not breathe. This worsened.

The staff in the Fracture Clinic made sure that I was comfortable, and arranged for me to be assessed to ascertain the cause. I was admitted for investigation. 

The cause was a double pulmonary embolism, which was putting pressure on my heart. I was given oxygen at a high level and medication, and my blood thinners were increased. I was allowed home after a week with a prescription for further blood thinners in tablet form. 

Had it not been for the prompt action and care of the staff at the Fracture Clinic who ensured I received the further care required I might not be here  today writing this story. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and they tended to my wound while I was an inpatient.

When allowed home, I had frequent out-patient appointments at the Fracture Clinic. My wound on one side healed well but the other side would not heal. Staff at the Fracture Clinic tried all types of dressing to promote healing, but the wound was stubborn and just would not heal. They kept me going with their good natured professional care and humour, which meant that I continued to be optimistic, and they also cheered me up on many mornings I attended prior to starting my work, which I was able to return to for a time. 

In short, they became friends to me as the year progressed.

My wound became infected and when oral antibiotics could not shift the infection, I attended at the Fracture Clinic in September 2024 where staff cared for me until I was admitted for intravenous antibiotics and emergency surgery to remove the metal which had been inserted in January 2024 while the bone healed. 

Staff at the Fracture Clinic kept in touch while I was an inpatient, and after my operation  worked closely with Mr Drampalos, the skilled Consultant who operated, to provide the best possible treatment to promote healing.

Even when I was still in the ward, the staff at the Fracture Clinic carried out all the dressing work.

After I was allowed home, staff at the Fracture Clinic continued the excellent professional care that I was given before, trying different dressings and compression to assist healing. 

Visits to the Fracture Clinic were very positive experiences for me, and as before I experienced constant friendliness  as well as first class care.

My wound finally healed in late 2024, with follow-up visits to make sure there were no issues. It was a very difficult wound to treat, and my skin was sensitive. Great care was taken over dressings to minimise irritation to my skin and promote healing. I am now back at work fulltime.

In 2023, my son had a similar experience with a foot injury, which required an operation by Mr Drampalos and long term care from the Fracture Clinic.

My family and I have a lot to thank staff at the Fracture Clinic and Mr Drampalos for, individually and as a team, and we appreciate all of the excellent care given to us by them the standard of which was above and beyond their duty.