"Care and Treatment received at Leek Walk in centre"

I went over on my right ankle whilst playing netball on a  Wednesday in May.  By the following morning, my foot/ankle was very swollen and bruised and I couldn't walk on it. Suspecting it was broken, my Mum brought me to Leek for an Xray. 

I was triaged promptly and then waited in the waiting room for x ray.  Had X ray after a 20 minute wait (perfect) and then waited back in the waiting room for the nurse and diagnosis.  The nurse said the x ray came back and the ankle was not broken.  When I asked them about my foot (which was very swollen, bruised and painful) they told me that they hadn't done an x ray of the foot as it wasn't on the triage form!. 

The nurse then said that the Triage nurse was new to Leek and probably didn't know what to do.  I am flagging this as it certainly needs to be addressed if a Triage nurse is not capable of triaging a simple injury. 

By this point, x Ray had shut for lunch so I had to wait for over an hour whilst the staff went for lunch.  Whilst having the 2nd x ray on my foot, the radiographer apologised for not x-raying my foot earlier as they could clearly see it was injured, but as it was not on the request form they  could not do it.   Again flagging as someone with experience has no autonomy over someone who is new in the role.   

Back with the nurse again who said that the foot x ray was clear, no breaks and that I should walk on it as soon as possible. I was then told they were not going to give me crutches as I wouldn't walk on it, so I should just hop until you I can weight bear.  

Hopping is obviously not an option, so I borrowed some crutches from a friend and used them for about 2 weeks and then started to weight bear after that.  By 6 weeks, my ankle/foot was still swollen and very painful so I went to a BUPA hospital for an MRI and the full diagnosis was revealed. 

Foot broken in 3 places, grade 3 ligament damage and cartilige damage. I was told I should have been given a boot 6 weeks ago and by continuing to walk on it I have probably caused long term damage.

I have both diagnosis (NHS and BUPA) electronically so can share this with you.

My treatment was inaccurate and now 9 weeks later, I am wearing a surgical boot and also looking at having surgery for the cartilage tear.

I would very much like to discuss my experience with someone as I believe my mis-diagnosis is not a one off.