"Treatment for Morten's Neuroma at Holme Valley Hospital"

Thanks for the reply, Louise. I do actually have some additional comments on my care at Holme Valley Hospital. I’m sorry not to have included the following in my original response – I simply misunderstood what was required on the ‘story’ page.

From beginning to end, my treatment at the Holme Valley Hospital was exemplary. The course of steroid injections that, in the event, did little or nothing to improve the inflammation in my foot was administered with amazing skill and sensitivity. I have had numerous needles stuck in me over the decades: none with the precision of the staff at Holme Valley – on two of the three occasions I was not aware of the needle puncturing my skin so gentle was the procedure.

The highlight, however, was the day of my surgery, just over two weeks ago. As usual, everyone from cleaners to receptionists to nurses to doctors, was friendly and professional. My designated nurse for the two hours or so of my appointment was Debbie – and I cannot praise her highly enough: I walked in to the operating theatre as relaxed as if I was going to have a bath. As I lay flat on my back, another nurse – an Irish woman due to retire in the next couple of weeks or so, (sorry I cannot recall her name) stood nearest to my face and chatted with me. I thought that was very nice of her and felt lucky that a trained & highly skilled practitioner could be spared simply to socialise… However, she spotted me wince – even before I was aware of it myself, and immediately alerted the surgeon. He, in turn, stopped cutting, apologised & administered more anaesthetic. He checked with me that all was OK as he returned to his task.

At the end of the operation, I looked around to thank Debbie for all she had done, but she wasn’t there. In fact, she had gone to phone my wife & ask her to come and collect me.

My return a week later, was a lovely experience – I was greeted one after another by receptionists, doctors and nurses with a smiling ‘Hello, how’s it going?’ I was in and out very quickly.

And then, this week, I went for the removal of the dressing and stitches. Again there was the warmth, the sincere care – so much so, that, when they told me I didn’t have to come back for six months, my first emotional response was one of sadness that such a good and happy experience was at an end.

Please ensure that everyone involved is thanked and praised. And please ensure that their managers are informed as well.