"Very disappointed by treatment and aftercare for foot injury"

I attended Forth Valley A&E a few weeks ago with a suspected broken foot. On arrival I was unable to weight bear and hopped from the door to the reception without assistance from staff. Once booked in I waited to be triaged. I asked the receptionist and a member of nursing staff on 2 separate occasions for any pain killers and was advised that I would get some once triaged.

I was called in by a nurse who asked me what happened. The nurse noted down the details of the incident but failed to take any observations or ask about my pain score. My foot was deformed at the ankle, ice cold to touch and the capillary refill was over 4 seconds. None of this was assessed.

I asked for pain relief and was given 2 paracetamol and sat in a small waiting area to go for an xray. The porter and xray technician were the only positive experience I had during my visit and both were polite, courteous and professional. I was taken back to the waiting area after my xray.

My pain was worsening while sitting and I asked a junior doctor and a member of nursing staff for more pain killers. The doctor walked past the door and said they had asked someone to get it and it hopefully should be soon. I waited nearly an hour.

Once a member of nursing staff brought me into the cubicle I was given 1 tablet of dihydrocodeine. This was ineffective.

I then waited for the doctor for another half an hour. Once assessed, the doctor advised it was a hairline fracture and provided me with a moon boot and a leaflet, referring me to the online fracture clinic. The doctor advised that all I would need is regular paracetamol and ibuprofen, both of which had already proved ineffective. The doctor told me that I was to wear the moon boot for 2 days and after that I should be fine. 11 days since the injury I am still unable to wear anything other than the moon boot and I still have significant bruising and excruciating pain when sleeping or attempting to wear normal footwear.

Yesterday I contacted the online fracture clinic as I had not heard from them and my pain was worsening and the nurse told me that I had not been referred.

I gave my employers inaccurate time scales regarding my injury and I am now looking at extensive time off. Having spoken to other medical professionals I believe the treatment and diagnosis management I have received has been grossly below par.

I am now hoping the online fracture clinic nurse I spoke to can put together an effective rehabilitation plan as my mobility is still incredibly limited and my pain still not under control.

I am extremely disappointed by the service and treatment I received both on the day and afterwards, and I very much look forward to hearing from a member of hospital management.