"Our NHS is an understandable envy of the world"

I had an accident where I broke my toe and after phoning 111 I attended the Victoria hospital in Kirkcaldy later that day. I had my foot x ray’d and strapped and received an invitation by mail within 2 days for an appointment for  a check up the following day. The consultant reviewed my foot and x rays and suggested surgery to fit a wire into my toe to help re align the bone to knit correctly; which he confirmed within 30 minutes was arranged for the following Monday at the minor surgery day care dept.

I have been fortunate enough not to have to attend a hospital for anything other than visiting friends or relations for over 30 years, so it’s fair to say I was apprehensive prior to the appointment. I needn’t have been concerned, as the staff were all fantastic. 

Having turned up at 7:45 for registration, I was in theatre by 9:30, out by 10 and discharged around 12 noon, aided by the fact that the surgeon recommended at my pre op discussion that the op could quite easily be done under local rather than general anaesthetic. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, as my apprehension was Initially suppressed by the thought that I would be completely unaware of events in surgery, which would now not be the case.  It’s now 24 hours post op and while my mobility is somewhat curtailed, I am in no discomfort whatsoever, and believe my convalescence will be short and lead to a completely successful operation. I can’t thank all the staff at the hospital enough for their attention, assistance and professional dealings with me, in particular Andy and Alison who I think were the staff nurses in the day intervention area, John, who kept me calm on the short journey to and from theatre from the day bay, and to Mr Annan, the surgeon who performed the operation on my toe. And my gratitude also extends to Alison ? the assistant  anaesthetist  who was a big calming influence on me during the operation.

Thank you all.

The experience has only reinforced the reputation In my mind that our NHS is an understandable envy of the world and quite simply a superb service from a dedicated, trusted and enthusiastic group of people. I appreciate and a knowledge that there are a large group of people who operate in the background to support the few names I have mentioned above, and they too should be extremely proud of the work they do on a day to day provision that just delivers.

So just a big Thanks to everyone from a very appreciative recipient of your service