"Pre op Hip Replacement"

I visited the hospital on Christmas eve to see my consultant to discuss my hip replacement. About 14 months prior it was decided that given my young age 56, that a ceramic hip joint would be best option for longevity.

Today I was told that at the last minuet when I'm on the operating table , the decision will then be made.

Why bother offering options to pacify the patient if his opinion isn't wanted.

I was shipped off to Xray where the nurse was not helpful and a bit rough.

They didn't help me with my open back gown which I couldn't reach to tie as I am disabled and use crutches.

The actual Xray technician was much better and was very helpful.

Patient respect and duty of care had been lost that afternoon.

Unfortunately I have been a process technician in my pre accident working life and I can see and understand a lot more than the average person.

When someone brags to you in a hospital appointment that ceramic hips last 20-25 years against 10 years for polyurethane versions and you have already said yes to the longer lifespan unit, you don't expect that the cheaper less effective unit could be slipped in when you are in no position to have a say as you have then been sedated.

What a nice way to disillusion and dis-pare a patient before the operation!

Surely allaying patients fears and giving assurance that all options have been covered.

The consultant certainly made sure that the words "barrister" were used when it came to the question of when I can resume driving.

No wonder people feel that, where there is blame there is a claim.

Like many people who work hard and pay their taxes, I do applaud the ground floor NHS staff as 99% of them do a brilliant job and are certainly not just in the job for the money or working conditions.

But when you get treated like I did at the start you do wonder if you could wake up in KwiK Fit with remoulds fitted when your bill says that new ones were supplied.