"My experience in getting a hip replacement"

I had a hip replacement in Perth Royal Infirmary in October 22. The wait for this had been long and I was ready for it. 

positives:

The pre and post care information was excellent - both verbal and written. Clear information on who to contact after discharge with specific questions. (specialist nurse)

A helpful follow up phone call 2 weeks after surgery from a specialist nurse. 

Inpatient care in ward 8 could not have been better. Each member of staff treated me as a person with real care and compassion. I was given information and answers to questions all through my stay. 

The community OT service was very helpful in providing and checking equipment installation prior to admission. 

The hospital OT was very helpful and asked a really helpful question before discharge "what are you worried about going home?" This allowed me to talk about going to the toilet in the night - which led to her issuing me with a commode. This gave me security, comfort and peace of mind.

Things that were less positive/suggestions for improvement:

There was lots of duplication with information not shared across the system. I had a very helpful afternoon at PRI which included information giving to a nurse and OT, an Xray and a "joint school". All very helpful. The OT had not received a form that I had been sent along with my agreement for surgery form despite me phoning to check where to send their form. They said that if it went to Ninewells then they would never see it again! 

The nurse who took lots of information that I knew would be needed as part of pre-surgical assessment (from a previously cancelled attempt at surgery in January 22). I told them I had a pre-assessment telephone appointment booked the next day with Ninewells team. They said they would send the information on to them to avoid duplication. 

When I had my telephone pre surgery appointment they had to go over all the same questions again!

AHP cover over the holiday weekend was short of what was needed. When I was ready to start rehab on the Sunday, the physio said they would be back again in the afternoon, but he had to come back and apologise and say there were not enough staff for the work to be done. This probably meant that I had to stay in hospital for an extra night as I was not yet mobilised properly. 

Physio input was minimal (but good) with no option of any follow up. They did provide very good and clear information about exercises to do though. I am left wondering if my gait/walking is developing any bad habits without the option of advice or option of a physio seeing me.