"Fracture clinic"

I came to fracture clinic via my GP as I worried that my fracture diagnosed and treated some weeks ago at another hospital was not healed, I only had to wait a week before I was telephoned and invited in the next day.

I like the self check in areas - just like an airport and how the various departments are in “gates.” There are plenty of staff to help if you are stuck.

I had to go to one gate and then a nurse directed me to another for x-ray and told me to come back after my x-ray. A lot of walking around.

The receptionist explained there would be a 90 minute wait as one of the x-rays was out of use and not to worry about my appointment with the consultant as they would know I was waiting for the x-ray. That was reassuring and it was nice to be told this upfront.

It felt like a very long wait. The chairs are comfortable fabric ones. The whole environment is very airport like with two Costa Coffee cafes in the same vicinity. There is also a shop. I suggest you get a coffee and something to read!

After my x-ray, with a lovely radiographer who apologised for the wait, i I saw the consultant within 10 minutes.

All in all I was impressed. I used to be a nurse here a few years ago when the main building was a former Victorian workhouse and the whole site was run down. It’s so much better now. All the staff I encountered were friendly and helpful.

My only concern is the long waits which I think we all expect now. The wait for physiotherapy is 8-9 weeks which is shocking. I obviously look like a woman of means as the consultant suggested private physiotherapy which I am fortunate to be in a position to pay for. Many are not and have no choice but to wait in pain and with limited mobility.