"Trauma 2a"

I wrote an email to the hospital extolling the care I received whilst in Trauma 2A recovering from a fracture/dislocation of my ankle. My stay was for 1 week. Below is an extract: "The care I received throughout my stay was great - naturally I have fewer compliments with regard to the food! I felt in good hands and well attended to most of the time. I particularly appreciated the efforts made to try and help me feel like I still had some dignity despite often feeling quite the opposite. I would like to mention a few people in particular: My ambulance men were really great. Just the right amount of concern and joviality to keep me from panicking and worrying. The first doctor I met in A&E; he leapt into action and insured I was seen very promptly indeed. One of the surgical team who took the time to pop in to check how I was doing when he walked passed my bed. PJ has seen me at clinic and AEU when I came in and has been great. The consultant's job on my ankle and metal work looks very neat indeed; I look forward to getting my mobility back! My nurse in AEU while I waited surgery (and later on Trauma 2a!). She was very comforting and accompanied me into surgery which meant a great deal to me. On the ward, the nurses were lovely, comforting and supportive. They really made a huge difference. In fact, one helped ensure I stayed a day more to ensure I got my pain management under control. I cannot explain what a huge difference that made; I felt more alert and ready to brave home. They helped me deal with the least dignified moments of my stay and made it as bearable as such moments can be. A very special thank you to these three. The OT was also a really welcoming and comforting person during the last couple of days of my stay - even offering my wife a cup of tea when her hands were full with our baby! The physio was an encouraging force for my return home. Although I would not want anyone to have to stay in hospital for any amount of time, the team that tended to my recovery were professional, comforting, and just really nice. " There was only one incident I would like to mention that was negative - it was not in my email. I was given a catheter and was being helped from my chair to my bed by someone. I was very nervous of the catheter, very unstable, weak and in a fairly confused state. Unfortunately, the person helping yanked on the tube which was very painful. I believe I screamed and was not "patient" with her for which I apologise. However, I was just left half in my bed, in pain and barely able to get back in. I did not think this was acceptable. I understand I may have shocked her but I was weak, confused and drugged and should not have been left like that.