"visit with 84 year old mother on 01.10.17"

I visited the Beacon on Sunday evening at approximately 5.45pm; my mother had a shoulder and hip injury following a fall. I was immediately told on arrival by the receptionist that the xray dept was closing at 6pm and an xray may not be possible.

My mother was seen promptly by the triage nurse who determined from purely a physical examination that my mother had a tricep muscle injury. She was told it may take some time to be less painful and was sent home with the instruction to take paracetemol for pain relief.

Over the last two days her injury worsened and I remained anxious that no xray had been taken.

I phoned the Beacon this morning for further advice and was promised a call back by the on duty triage.

No one called me back.

My mother was taken to PRU's A&E where an xray identifed she had in fact broken her shoulder!!

I would highly recommend that staff in the minor injuries unit more seriously consider the role of xray in their diagnosis and if the xray department is closing for the day, that they, as part of their duty of care advise patients to attend an alternative care environment where more diagnostic equipment is available to properly assess a patient's condition. This is particulalry important for elderly patiemts where the risk of osteoporosis is more likely.

Patients should be aware that whilst the unit may be open until 20.00hrs, the x ray department may well not be available.

I am glad I listen to my niggling concern at my mother's diagnosis on Sunday and took my mother for a second opinion. She may well have unintentionally done irreperable damage to her arm based on the advice she had been given at the Beacon.