"My level of care was exceptionally high"

In late June my husband and I were out to lunch at a local hotel. I am 78 and I suffer from paraparesis so use walking aids. My husband, aged 93, lost his footing and fell taking me with him.

The paramedics were called and arrived within minutes. We were taken to N. N. U. H. A & E. I lost track of time, but didn’t have to wait unduly long in A & E. My husband suffered bruising and was a little shaken, but otherwise non the worse for his fall. I was in great pain and Xrays revealed a right hip fracture. Any delays were not down to front-line staff, who were working against the odds to deal with patients. I was cared for efficiently and with compassion.

Early Sunday evening, I was taken to the Surgical Assessment ward for the night. A doctor explained, in simple language, that I had fractured my right hip and would be operated on early Monday morning, and everything possible was done to help relieve my pain and to make me as comfortable as possible. I was taken to the operating theatre at about 7. 30 am in early July.

After surgery, I moved to the Orthopaedic Gately Ward for a short while and then again moved to the Medicine for the Elderly Brundall Ward, where I was quickly moved a lovely little en suite side room. The staff were all fantastic, and dealt with some very, very difficult elderly patients with great compassion and patience.

At every stage I was well cared for, from the time I was taken by ambulance to the hospital, to my final release on in mid July. Every small detail of my health and well-being were very well looked after by every single member of staff who cared for me, from the Ward Sister in charge of Brundal Ward, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapist, cleaners and food servers. Even the food had improved since my last stay.

In fact my care was exceptionally high. Everything was done to aid and encourage my speedy recovery and release from hospital. I cannot praise NNUH too highly.

My only adverse comments are that front line staff are under-staffed, over-worked and underpaid. There appears to me to be a great deal of NHS cash wasted on “marketing and management”.