"hand surgery 03/04/16"

I would like to thank the A&E department, Radiology and the Registrar who looked after me after cutting my hand at 7:30 am on Saturday the 2nd April and badly lacerating my right index finger. The A&E department assessed the injury and immediately began to action my investigation with wound cleaning and then X-Rays on the index finger and other fingers on my right hand where the nail beds had been damaged. Once assessed I was taken to the surgery unit and assessed for surgery the following day. The registrar explained things clearly and what was likely to happen in regard to surgery on the wound. I attended the unit on the 3rd April at 07:30 and was immediately made aware of the time I was booked in for surgery unless there was a major accident. The surgeon explained to me what damage had been done and what was to be repaired.

9 am duly arrived and I was taken down to surgery and after a quick bit of banter with the anaesthetists I was asleep until 12.00. On waking up in the recovery room I was given a glass of water and asked to remain calm until I felt I could have something to eat. As I enjoyed a sandwich and a glass of juice the surgeon came to see me and told me what had been repaired, what I had to do to protect the fingers and the tendon until they had healed and also the sensation I should get back after a few weeks. I left the post operation room and went to the unit for my things at 3 pm and was allowed to go at 4 pm. On Monday morning I received a telephone call to attend the Hand Therapy Unit for an assessment of the wound and the rehabilitation of my hand through protection and physiotherapy. Over 12 weeks I have attended the Unit and received excellent advice and care of the wound so that I was able to return to light duties at work after three weeks and after 6 weeks return to normal duties apart from heavy lifting. Now after 12 weeks I can resume all normal duties at work, including computer keyboard work, site work and most of all gardening in my spare time. I would like to thank the surgeon registrar, the team in the surgery unit, the hand therapy team and the staff in A&E and Radiology for their professional and caring approach to what was initially a major impact on my life as I am right handed and all sorts of thoughts go through your mind at the time of the accident. The physiotherapy and wound care has helped me to heal quickly and gain the full use of my right hand and at the same time see my nails growing back so in a few weeks time there will be no evidence of what was a traumatic injury only 14 weeks ago. The NHS is the best service in the world and believe me I have worked in a few countries where the constant nag is going to be the cost of the health care and the quality of service. Please continue with your excellent service and care for the patients of Wakefield and the 7 towns in the area and I hope the public can appreciate what you do without having to test the system so dramatically as I did. JC