I was admitted to the A&E department last Friday night having fallen down the stairs at my daughter's house in Blyth. The ambulance took a while to come but I understand they were dealing with many heart attacks which of course take priority. When I arrived in A&E I was thoroughly assessed and had to lie still on a spinal board with my head in a support (very uncomfortable but of course absolutely necessary!). I was then taken for CT scans of most of my body. The report came back that everything was ok apart from two vertebra fractures so was able to have the neck brace removed. A decision had to be made as whether to send me home or stay overnight. Thankfully the latter was decided as in my daughter's house the bedrooms, toilets etc are all upstairs which I didn't think I would manage. Was offered a commode which would have been good if I had needed it. So I stayed overnight in the Short Stay ward and looked after very well by all nursing staff involved. They seemed so over stretched but nothing was too much trouble. I was discharged just after lunch on Sunday and driven back home to Lincolnshire. Have seen my GP here who has referred me to a trauma orthopaedic spinal surgeon with an appointment on 8 September at Lincoln County Hospital. I think I have been very very lucky with my injuries; my legs are covered in bruises but apart from the spinal issues which will hopefully mend themselves and not require any surgery, I am alive. Thanks to everyone involved in my care.
"Fractured Vertebra"
About: Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital Cramlington NE23 6NZ
Posted via nhs.uk
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