"A&E on Xmas Eve 2017 - fantastic staff & service"

I went to Chesterfield A&E around 2pm on Christmas Eve, with what I suspected was a fracture to my leg (a result of overexcited Xmas celebrations in a pub with friends the evening before).

My sister and family, with whom I was staying over Christmas, nearby, have their main Christmas dinner, for various reasons, on Xmas Eve rather than Xmas Day. When I mentioned to the first doctor I saw that they would be sitting down for their Xmas dinner at 4pm that day, she said that she would do all she could to make sure I got back in time for that. The radiographer in the X-ray department was equally lovey & efficient. As soon as these X-ray results were shown to the doctor, she saw me again. Fracture to the upper fibula. No cast needed. She gave me some strong painkillers, explained to me about follow-up appointment, and suggested I get back to family as soon as possible, in time for dinner, and pour myself a glass of wine.

I did. Got back in time. My sister & family & friends, many of whom also work in the NHS, were v happy, if a little surprised that the whole process had been quite so fast.

Thanks ever so much to the NHS, and to all who work in the NHS, especially at this time of year, when everyone would rather be back at home, with family and friends, the fire on, a glass of wine in hand and Doctor Who on the TV.