"Broken ankle Dec 2013.Initial paramedics to A&E to..."

I fell in in Bolton town centre on the morning of the stormy Dec 5th 2013. Tried to stand until I realised my left foot was wobbling in a strange direction. No pain though. The initial public response was brilliant. Within minutes at least 6 people were attending me. One rang for an ambulance, another comforted me, a local shopkeeper brought a blanket out The initial paramedic came on a push bike. She assessed me, gave me gas and air, and very efficiently organised transfer to the warmer nearby shopping centre. I felt reassured. . I was offered stronger pain killers which I declined. . The main ambulance team came and took me to A&E in a very efficient, caring and professional manner. I was seen straight away in A&E where my husband met me. I was gently examined, told I had a badly displaced bimalleolar (two bones) fracture of my left ankle and would need "metalwork" to resolve it. I understood it was going to be a long time before I was back to my usual walking, gardening, fully fit lifestyle, Within a couple of hours I was found a bed on G4 via a short wait in Plaster Theatre. At all times I was greeted with a caring humour but tiring by now. The ward was busy 24/7 and not a place for rest, but the medical and nursing care was very efficient under very trying circumstances at times. I suggest it should be the staff who are called "patients" not the service users, some of whom would have tried the patience of a saint. Some aspects of my treatment were delayed a few times because of work demands and priorities, but I was kept informed of the reasons why and felt my care was not compromised. I had my surgery on Dec 10th and was discharged Friday Dec13th after being visited by the physio and occupational therapists and my home situation checked. Once again this service was superb, and much better than comparable stories I have heard from other areas. I am now hopping around downstairs at home with a Zimmer frame, and very grateful for my foot stool, perching stool, raised toilet seat, and wheel chair which I was persuaded to accept on loan, by the OT. She also advised me to sleep downstairs for which I am now grateful., My only hiccup on discharge was a confusing discharge prescription I think because I never saw a pharmacist. I eventually managed to resolve .this with phone calls to the hospital and GP surgery. I must also mention the ambulance transport teams who very professionally assisted in manhandling me in to my house on discharge and later taking me back to Out Patients on the 27th to have my clips out. Since discharge I have developed a wound infection and had to attend .Plaster Theatre several times for treatment, .I don't think any visit has taken more than an hour and often much less that that. I have been greeted in a friendly but courteous manner each time and treated efficiently and with some humour. As a retired nurse for 45 years I feel very proud of our health service. Not perfect but doing its best.