"Great service"

I fell in the garden and couldn’t move but was able to reach my phone to call my husband and a neighbour. They realised that I needed more help and called the Ambulance . 

The ambulance came within 40 minutes which was good as it was the evening rush hour. The two guys who took me in were very good in giving me confidence about getting me out of the garden, down the many steps and into their ambulance. 

I was so impressed with all the staff from the ambulance to the people who pushed around on trollies, the x-ray technicians, nurses, auxiliaries, food service staff, they were kind, thoughtful, insightful and often humorous. With a bit of logic and tough love, they had me standing and moving within two days. I had a broken hip and wrist. The wrist had been plastered to assist me to get on my feet as quickly as possible. That was a massive help. I would give a. High five to the surgeon who did that off his own bat if I knew his name. 

The support, encouragement and good humour of the auxiliary nurses was key to my recovery. In particular I would like to give thanks to Amy, Katerina, Shereen. and one auxiliary of whom sadly I have forgotten her name. I saw her care for an older woman who kept crying to go home but by giving her a back scratch the older woman felt loved. This auxiliary later said she loved her job. And she did,  one could see it and feel it. I think that was probably true of the other auxiliaries - they were very professional but incredibly thoughtful. The nurses -Steemy, Jube, Dario  and Kelly treated my preference for avoiding medication with respect which was so helpful.

Karen the Physio and her assistants were patient and articulate in how to deal with the stairs. They gave me more than one practice of the stairs and that built up my confidence to the point that I could return home.

I felt grateful to Kelly helping me make my exit quickly once I realised that I could go home and be on my own just before my husband returned. 

Last but not least I found to my surprise that there was always something good to eat on the menu and food was good. Our server Margaret was patient with us and Sophie another server helped me retrieve my  spoon which had been mistakenly collected.

I was again seen into my home by the ambulance service which had a member of staff helping me up my steps my first time outside in the darkness and misty rain and into the main part of the living quarters. In spite of being the last run at night, there was no sense of rushing me.

All in all this whole experience made me proud of what the NHS does and how it provides a wonderful service. The care taken with the details was brilliant. Thank you all!!!