"Total lack of joined up approach & lack of care"

Thursday before last My husband fell 12 foot onto concrete resulting in a number of injuries.

Initially taken by Ambulance to Watford where scans apparently showed a fracture to his neck and bleed to the brain.

On account of these injuries he was quickly transferred to St Mary's as the specialist hospital.

On arrival at A & E a secondary examination was undertaken but no further scans.

Prognosis the same - fractured neck C6 and 7 although fractures stable and a bleed to the brain which would be monitored. He was also complaining of knee and foot pain, both appeared swollen and bruised. Despite being told he would be re scanned that day and x rayed for his new complaints nothing took place. He was duly transferred to CDU much later that night.

The following day still no re scans although his knee was xrayed to reveal it was also fractured.

On account of it being a Saturday leg splint and crutches were not available so he would have to wait for security to get to the store.

Eventually much later that evening a splint was found but no crutches.

The following day Sunday he was told he was to be discharged.

At this stage he was on four hourly morohine, could not get out off bed and could not move unaided.

Every time he sat up he went dizzy and had to lie back.

Before release he was re xrayed and scanned.

Additional break to his toe found, neck fracture the same, but stable, patella fracture also stable and bleed to the brain looked the same.

Discharged with no care plan other than to attend fracture clinic on the following Friday, he was crumpled into our family car and taken home.

No support, equipment or morphine available.

Discharge notes made mention of the above injuries however on reading the radiology report it states he also has a fracture to his skull.

No mention by anyone of this at any time.

By Wednesdsy

Fracture clinic referral came through for fractured neck but no other referral for his other injuries.

Having made a fuss via PAL an appointment was eventually made for his knee at the same time as his neck but still nothing for his fractured skull.

In fact to date there does not seem to be any record of him having a fractured skull. Even his discharge note doesn't refer to it.

Appointment re his neck today has resulted in him needing surgery on Monday on the so called stable fracture that he was discharged with last Sunday.

Still no referral for his fractured skull and bleed on the brain which I have queried with CDU who discharged him. Their response is that there is no referral and I should tell my GP if I have concerns or to attend A& E?I didn't realise that a hospital would discharge someone with what one could consider a serious injury with no follow up?

Truly dreading going back to this hospital for surgery on Monday.