"I had clear explanations of my care and treatment at all times"

After an unfortunate slip while on holiday in Crete that resulted in a ruptured right quadricep I flew back to Glasgow arriving not in the early hours of the morning. On instruction of our Travel Insurance company my wife and I took a taxi from the airport to A&E at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Having given my details at A&E reception I was called through to Triage within 10 minutes. A sympathetic, professional and friendly nurse assessed my health situation and arranged that blood samples be taken. This happened immediately with the nurse tasked with at that job being very friendly and professional.

I was then taken through to a cubicle in the A&E department where I waited. Although the department did not appear to busy it was some time before a doctor came to see me, having on at least one occasion briefly said they would be with me soon. When that doctor then came to see what my problem was, I had been sent home from the hospital in Crete where I had spent the previous night with a back slab (?) keeping my knee immobilised, they asked why I had come to A&E at the hospital. I replied I was following instruction from my travel insurance company. They replied that this was wrong, my G.P. held budget and I should have been getting referred by my G.P. Given that my home is in Shetland I was somewhat taken aback by these comments. This doctor cut the bandages holding the back slab on my leg, examined my knee and left me.

It was some time later, hours not minutes that a different doctor came to see me, with a colleague and told me my knee was to be x-rayed and I was to be admitted. Having taken all necessary details this is what happened, I was admitted to Ward 10C.

At Ward 10C all staff were very friendly, professional and helpful. Initially it seemed I might go to theatre that day but medical staff decided an ultrasound of my knee might assist in deciding just what surgery was needed.

I had been placed in isolation having said I had been in a Greek hopsital and a nurse, during the morning on Thursday, took a range of swabs to check for MRSA and CPE.

By about lunchtime it was decided I would not go to theatre that day so was allowed food.

Early in the afternoon a porter took me to imaging department for ultrasound but almost immediately after arriving there having been left by the porter  a member of staff said something about a mistake, I was to go back to Ward 10C and I would be sent for later that day. I had to wait for approx. 20 minutes before a porter came and took me back to the Ward.

When I later asked the reason for my return to ward I was told that as I was a potential infection risk staff did not want me sitting with other patients. I was puzzled at the time and would have appreciated being immediately told at imaging why I was to go back to ward. I fully agree with staff taking all measures to limit potential cross infection.

Absolutely all staff working on Ward 10C as well as all theatre staff made my stay at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital as positive an experience as, in my circumstances, it could have been. I had clear explanations of my care and treatment at all times. I have nothing but the highest praise for them and thank them for everything they did for me.