"Broken hip during a pandemic"

In February my 90 year old mother had a fall at home and unfortunately her alert band did not work. When I got there having been unable to contact her on the phone she had been on the floor for 5 hours. Within 10 minutes of me contacting the alarm company a team had arrived but could not move her as they suspected a broken hip, and told me to call an ambulance. I did this just before 10pm and the ambulance arrived at 5am. The crew who arrived were great at helping my mum and reassuring her as she was getting sore and agitated due to the time she had been on the floor.

 I would like thank ambulance control who kept in touch with me at regular intervals giving me advice on checking her  and speaking to my mum to keep her reassured that they were doing their best. The contact kept both of us feeling calm in a situation that could not be helped. The support was excellent. So thank you.

My mum was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and I was told to call A&E in about an hour. I did so and spoke to the Dr.(Chris?) who gave me a great deal of information on her condition and called me back again (despite having finished his shift) to let me know she was going to be seen by the orthopaedic registrar. He duly called me and said she would need an operation. My next call was regarding DNR and the doctor was very honest but sympathetic. I was then called a few hours later by the consultant anaesthetist to let me know she was in recovery and would I like to speak to her. I am amazed and so thankful to all of these people for their contact and support when everything is so difficult. In the space 21 hours in the middle of a pandemic my mum had a new hip! Amazing! I really can't thank you all enough.

She then went to Ward 62 and I was called with an update as soon as she arrived and was kept fully informed for the next week before  she was transferred to Ward 3A at Gartnavel. Again I was contacted as soon as she arrived. She spent 3 weeks in 3A where she received excellent care that got her back on her feet and home with a full care package.To everyone involved in my mums care in both hospitals, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish I knew all of your names so that I could make this more personal.You managed to get a frail 90 year old up and walking and back home in 4 weeks and turned a traumatic experience for both of us into positive one. Everyone I had contact with in both hospitals made me feel reassured and included.

My mum is progressing well at home with the support of the home care staff, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, pharmacist and  GP. I can't believe the amount of people that have been involved and continue to be involved in her care and the way it has all come together to get where we are.

Once again thank you to all of you from both of us. We are so lucky to have all of this available to us on a daily basis. You are all amazing!