This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Hospital was good, but where was the follow up?

Posted By Pkms

"Hospital was good, but where was the follow up?"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Accident & Emergency Crosshouse Hospital / Trauma & orthopaedics East Ayrshire Council

(as the patient),

I sustained a broken fibula just above my ankle. For reasons explained to me it took several months to heal.

All the staff in A&E and the fracture clinic were extremely kind, hard working, and courteous. The whole procedure from arriving to departure for each visit (of which there were many) was smooth and almost seamless, even unexpected delays were explained by staff.

However, yes I'm sorry but there is one, my concern is with the lack of - for want of a better word - social care and follow up. I am 60 years old, I had a fractured ankle, I was in plaster, my mobility was poor, I live on my own in a typical two storey house where the bedroom and bathroom is upstairs. There are steps leading up into my house with no handrails.

Not once was I asked how I was managing or if I needed any kind of help that was within their bailiwick. It was just shy of six months before I was given the go ahead to drive again, thankfully I have a good network of friends who help me, took me to work, shopping etc, but, what if I hadn't? In view of the length of time that I was non weight bearing/ walking I do often wonder why I was not offered any physio; also, again in view of the delayed healing time I wonder why I wasn't offered a DXA scan.

I'd like to repeat that the system and staff were great, it's just the back up/ follow on expectations that seem to be lacking.

More about:
Tags added by staff members:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 7 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 14/02/2017 at 11:48
Published on Care Opinion at 12:09

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear Pkms,

I am so sorry, I can't imagine how difficult this must have been and for 6 months. I have a friend at the moment non-weight bearing/ on crutches and it really emphasises the difficulty in even the simplest of tasks. for example, making a cup of tea or coffee and taking it through to your sitting room to enjoy.

I am also sorry, but I don't know the answer to your concerns but I will try to find out for you and post a response on PO.

If you would like to find out the specifics about this in relation to you, please contact me on 01563 826222 or email me - eunice.goodwin@apct.scot.nhs.uk.

On the positive side to your story, thank you for the message to the staff, I will make sure they are aware of your post and your praise

I hope you are fully recovered now,

best wishes,

Eunice

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 7 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 14/02/2017 at 17:58
Published on Care Opinion on 15/02/2017 at 11:05

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear Pkms,

I have tried to clarify the issues you raised as a general situation. Without your details, I can't be absolutely sure of the circumstances specific to you.

Firstly, the offer of support and rehabilitation at home

This is usually a judgement call by the staff in the Emergency Department when you are being treated.. They do not refer you for homecare or support if they consider that it is not required. This is based on what you know from you during your visit to ED).

On occasions, when people go home, if they find that it is more difficult to cope than they thought, GPs can (and do) make the call and refer for support.

It would have been possible at any time you had with your broken leg to ask for this help, I am sorry you were not aware of this.

While you may not have needed Social Work involvement or intensive rehabilitation, it may have been helpful if you had been offered an assessment for your home environment. Such help may have included installation of grab hand rails for example.

The DEXA scan

There is a specific criteria for referral for this. The system to identify people initially is dependent on the information being logged on the Emergency Department's system and then assessed by the DEXA scan team against their criteria. It is possible for someone to be overlooked in some situations, for example if the accident took place outside Ayrshire. I sincerely hope this was not an oversight and I am sorry if it was. If you do fit the criteria for the DEXA scan, we will certainly arrange that for you, no problem at all. in order to check this I will need more information. I hope you can contact me - 01563 826222 or by email at eunice.goodwin@apct.scot.nhs.uk.

I hope this is helpful but please do feel free to contact me.

I hope you are fully recovered now,

Kind regards,

Eunice

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k