"Day surgery"

After a very long wait for Achilles tendon debridment as a day surgery case I finally had the procedure done on 30/8, a week earlier than expected after a phone call asking if I could possibly bring it forward. The nurses were fantastic, keeping me informed of a predicted time for the procedure when they could. I found the surgeon a little bit abrupt, but understand that they do have a lot going on. Despite being incredibly nervous I found the entire surgical team very pleasant, and they spent time relaxing me before finally giving me the general anaesthetic.

When I came round everyone was very nice and friendly, I even had a amusing conversation about the fact the special goggles they had put over my eyes had unfortunately removed some of my eyebrow!

I was offered a drink and sandwich as soon as I felt able, and was very grateful for it after not eating for over 14 hours.

Unfortunately due to the fact that I had been given a dose of morphine I was then sick, this did not phase the staff at all and they dealt with it very efficiently.

From the time I was admitted to being discharged I felt safe, and not in the slightest an inconvenience.

I only have 2 small complaints, I was discharged very shortly after vomiting - most probably from the morphine I was given after my operation... I then vomited again just outside the entrance, while waiting for my sister to come back with her car, with staff members walking past and no one stopped to see if I was ok despite me being in a wheelchair in a cast and being pretty drowsy.

My second thing is after my operation I am required to be non weight bearing for a couple of weeks. I was discharged to my sisters care, the crutches were handed to her and I was given no instructions on how to use them safely. Even a diagramed leaflet would be useful. As it was I had to figure it out myself, in the dark, after general anaesthetic and a dose of morphine.

Despite the last 2 points, my experience was a positive one. It was something that I was very nervous about and your staff made me feel calm and relaxed at all times.