"Nose fracture and infection"

Around the beginning of march I suffered an injury to the septum of my nose whereby a horse struck the bridge of my nose with his head. At the time I was concerned my nose has been broken but I wasn't certain.

Over the following days I noticed creaking sounds from my nose then after around 10 days I noticed pus collecting in the skin on the bridge to my nose. My nose was also very red, swollen and painful to touch. 

I contacted NHS 24 and after a lengthy phone call I was given an appointment time to attend minor injuries at the Victoria hospital in Kirkcaldy.

I duly attended at 6pm as advised. 

The first failure was the fact that I was not seen by anyone at minor injuries until 9pm. I had been advised by NHS 24 that my appointment time was 6pm. This lengthy wait caused me huge stress as I had not had food, my dog was in the house and would need to be let out. 

I was finally assessed and was prescribed co amoxiclav anti biotics and an appointment made for my attendance at ENT the next day 

I duly attended the appointment at ENT at which time I was advised it appeared my nose had indeed been fractured and I was offered manipulation in an attempt to correct it, which I accepted.

The consultant at ENT was very good and did explain to me that I may require a septo rhino plasty. He was made aware I was on co amoxiclav for the skin infection. The consultant advised that I wait 6 weeks and thereafter if my septum was still deviated and my breathing affected they would have me back in, no problem, and carry out the operation.

As days went by the infection didn't quite clear up and, following the end of the course I was aware the infection was worsening. I contacted my GP surgery and was prescribed a second course of co amoxiclav.

I contacted ENT secretary at the Victoria and was advised a consultant would call me back. I received no call.

I again contacted ENT secretary and left a voicemail. Still I received no reply. 

Meantime I completed a second course of co amoxiclav.

I was continuing to have breathing difficulty and my nose was very swollen red and pus was discharging. It settled slightly towards the end of the second course of antibiotics.

Within a few days the infection returned worse than ever. My nose swelled to twice the normal size and was extremely painful and red.

Having not heard anything from ENT I contacted my GP surgery and made an appointment with my GP. He examined my nose at which time he prescribed a 3rd course of antibiotics this time flucloxicicillin.

I explained to the GP that my nasal obstruction was really severe and informed him that the consultant at ENT had advised I be referred back within 6 weeks if it was still obstructed.

I was absolutely horrified to learn from my GP that despite what I had been told at ENT, the letter sent to my GP in fact stated a period of 6 months was required before I would be referred back to ENT!!

I felt absolutely gutted to hear this.

I decided to recontact ENT to seek further specialist help.

I was this time recontacted by ENT and then contacted by a trainee GP working at ENT just now.

I explained to her regards the infection and was advised to email photographs which I did.

My email was acknowledged but I didn't get a call from a consultant.

I emailed the GP again the following day at which time I was advised the consultant had contacted my GP surgery to prescribe a cream to fight the infection in my nose. 

During this conversation the trainer GP advised me that despite the chronic obstruction to my breathing and ongoing issues, that medically no surgery could be performed until a period of 6 months had passed. I said I cannot live with this for 6 months, my nose is crooked, hugely affecting my confidence, and my breathing is very difficult. She advised she would speak to a consultant and confirm if it is on fact 6 months that requires to pass before surgery is performed, as I had stated I may have to look into financing the surgery private 

I was thereafter informed by this doctor that in fact there is no medical reason that surgery can't be performed within a few weeks!! 

I explained that while I was in ENT I was advised by the consultant that I could get surgery after 6 weeks. The response was basically to the effect that due to covid this would be a 6 months wait, despite the issues I'm suffering with 

To say I am absolutely gutted by the whole way the complete lack of care, lack of responsibility, lack of communication and the misinformation I have been provided, is an understatement.