"My NHS care following a shoulder injury"

I recently had an unfortunate fall whilst out dog walking. A member of the public assisted me and called an ambulance as I was in considerable pain. This begun my experience of the NHS at its best. The first person to help me was Dr Fitzsimons who attended as a BASICS GP and provided reassurance and assessment. We are very fortunate in the north to have doctors volunteering to provide this help in their own time. Shortly afterwards an ambulance arrived and Alison and Paul then continued to care for me. I was never so glad to be able to have entonox followed by some morphine. I felt in very safe hands during my journey to Inverness.

At Raigmore hospital I was promptly seen and given further morphine for what was the worst pain I've ever experienced. I was then taken round for an x-ray which showed that my shoulder was dislocated. It was then through to resus and I was promptly sedated and Dr Robertson popped my shoulder back into place assisted by consultant Dr Webb. A follow up x-ray ensued and then I was able to go home. I was very fortunate with my timing to encounter two nurses, Roslyn & Alison, during my visit as I knew them both which was comforting when I wasn't looking my best! ! Dr Robertson was very compassionate and I will always be indebted to him for his holistic care.

We are all so lucky to have the NHS to care for us when we encounter unforseen incidents. I dread to think what the bill would have been for my care without the NHS. My NHS experience is continuing with physiotherapy care which begins later this week. My only suggestion to improve the patient experience following a shoulder dislocation is to provide a patient information leaflet on the required rehabilitation.

Thanks to everyone else who helped me on that unfortunate day as I'm well aware that lots of other people who I didn't directly meet keep the NHS running smoothly.