"Accident and subsequent surgery"

In late October I fell from a narrowboat into the canal near Northampton sustaining what turned out to be a fractured and dislocated shoulder.

Ambulance response was brilliant along with two paramedics who managed to remove my wet clothes- it was cold- suppress the pain and get me down the towpath into the ambulance and to Northampton GH. Passers by also helped but the crews were very caring and supportive even conscious of my modesty. 

At the hospital I was seen quickly through trauma, resus and X-ray, given painkillers and assessed for surgery the next day.  Another night in another ward which was quieter and I was able to sleep.  Visited by the surgeon, anaesthetist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist the next morning I was deemed able to be discharged and my notes and X-rays to be forwarded to my local hospital in East Sussex.

I would like to thank all the staff and nurses whose care I passed through in those 48 hours. They all deserve equal thanks .  

My local consultant says I have 'made a bit of a mess of it' but I am optimistic I will regain full use of it in due course. Fortunately it is my left arm and I am right handed.

Please make sure my full thanks are passed to all the staff - ambulance and hospital- who were involved in my rescue.