"I broke my hip in a cycling fall ..."

What I liked

I broke my hip in a cycling fall on a Friday. I was taken by ambulance to Queens Hospital and by early evening was in Amber A orthopaedic ward. Because of the snow and ice the hospital was inundated with cases, many more serious than mine. I therefore had my (successful) surgery first thing on Monday morning and was discharged on crutches on Wednesday morning and taken home by ambulance. From the moment that the ambulance arrived at the point of accident to my arrival home, I can honestly say that my treatment was faultless. There were no huge delays, except two days for surgery which was clearly explained to me each day and, in my eyes, was perfectly reasonable. Throughout my stay, the nursing staff treated me with care, consideration and great warmth. They were all a great credit to the hospital and to the NHS. I also had time to see how other patients were treated some in much greater difficulty than me. The way those nursing staff dealt with them was exemplary and with the great sympathy that was needed. The surgical staff were no less considerate and explained to me what would happen and what the option were. At 65, it was my first stay in hospital since a very young child and my first surgery. I was, therefore, very apprehensive. The calm reassurances by both nursing and surgical teams eased my anxieties greatly. I should also like to add that the catering – tea and water trolleys and meals – was beyond my expectations. Finally, before I came out the C.O.P.E team delivered the mobility aids that I needed and then visited me regularly until my recovery was well established. For this patient, therefore, the experience was a very positive one for which I would like to thank Queens Hospital.

What could be improved

Nothing that I could immediately determine