"The “Good and Bad“ of pre and post operative care"

In May 2019 I attended Queen Margaret hospital, Dunfermline for a day procedure to treat a complex Depuytrens Contracture on my hand. As is usually the case in my experience the care and attention received from nursing staff at each part of the process was excellent.

What was extremely disappointing was the level of patient care demonstrated by the surgeon who carried out my operation. They seemed almost disinterested in the pre-op process and thankfully the attending anaesthetist who saw me later was much more helpful, reassuring and pleasant. What I found particularly troubling was that after my operation (which was under general anaesthetic ) other than general nursing staff I saw no-one who had been involved in my operation. When I queried this I was told that “ they’re all away home “! ! This I find totally shocking behaviour. As a result I was unable to ascertain how the procedure went, what post operative care I needed to be aware of and the “ Do’s and Dont’s “ for the 2 weeks leading up to planned removal of my plaster and sutures together with physiotherapist treatment And advice. Without doubt this my worst ever experience of our generally wonderful NHS.