"Communication problems"

On the 26th Sept 2016 my wife had DIPJ fusions and flexor tenotomies to her right foot and all aspects on the day were dealt with in a first class manner. Paperwork received on the day referred to suture removal after two weeks but different aspects of that written and preprinted material communicated differing messages about where that was to be done. Hand written communication suggested we would receive a date and time to revisit Southmead for that part of the process but another document indicated that 'primary care' would be carrying out that stage. It wasn't until nearly two weeks later we discovered that 'primary care' actually meant our local surgery where we live. Prior to that chasing up Southmead both by Internet and the phone to a variety of numbers was a hopeless task with emails not replied to and phones not answered or classically 40 minute queues to get through. Yes our local surgery came to the rescue and took the stitches out bless 'em but of course they weren't to know as nor were we that the toes should then have been strapped and bandaged again to provide protection. The next visit should be 6 weeks after surgery and although three of those 6 weeks have passed we have not received any details of a date and time for that return visit to have the pin removed and all toes examined. It is post operative care/administration that appears to have failed here with my wife feeling that she was alone in the wilderness and not able to readily turn to anyone for advice. Sheer determination and patience has got her an appointment this Thursday back at Southmead when no doubt her concerns and medical needs will be resolved, but there does appear to be a root problem here which needs investigating and resolving.