"The patient is certainly at the centre"

Admission went ahead as planned. As soon as I came on the ward the clerkess was friendly and polite and showed me to my bed. Met the nurse who would be admitting me and a very bubbly OT who was delighted that I’d brought my gadgets with me. Lee was a professional, all round nice guy who appreciated that I was anxious about the operation. He kept me informed of who would be coming to see me and where I was on the list for theatre. I have to mention the orthopaedic theatre staff who looked after me. From healthcare support workers to registrars, your care and compassion was exceptional. My anaesthetist, bless you and thank you for looking after me. I felt that we built up a good rapport. You did not rush and made sure that I understood what was going on round about me. I very much appreciated this. You listened to me and treated me with respect in what was for me, one of the most stressful things I have gone through and there have been quite a few! Mr Cowie, I have no horrible hip pain! Wound pain, yes and the most incredible bruising to be expected.

Thank you and I will see you in 6 weeks  for review. I am managing to get about with two sticks. The staff on ward 10 treat all patients with respect and the patient is certainly at the centre. They are the epitome of professionalism and the Charge Nurse should feel proud to have them in her team. My post operative care, apart from a wee blip, went well and I got home two days after the operation.

The staff worked their socks off. Nothing was too much trouble despite them being thin on the ground. I also had an opportunity to see the layout of the new orthopaedic trauma centre. Great idea to display it in what I think looked like a “waiting area”? This will make a massive difference to the population of Fife. I was suitably impressed. For anyone waiting to undergo major hip surgery, trust them all, they will look after you and they will give you the best care possible. They have the knowledge and experience. This is quite a team.