"The whole staff were most professional, providing..."

What I liked

I broke my leg (fibula) hiking and was taken to North Devon District Hospital A&E for treatment. The medical and support staff were very professional and thorough. I was admitted to the Orthopedic ward late that evening. The next morning I went for surgery, which was explained to me by the anesthetists and the orthopedic surgeon. The day after surgery, the orthopedic surgeon came on rounds with other staff and answered my questions about what exactly was done and how to continue recovery. After instruction (and testing) in the use of crutches by physical therapists I was discharged to a taxi service to return to Selworthy where I was staying. As I am no longer a UK resident (we live near Niagara Falls, USA) I received full instructions on payment, and the Hospital worked with my insurance company after that.

When I returned to relatives in Sheffield, I went to the fracture clinic at Northern General Hospital, where the physicians remarked on how well the ORIF had been performed. When my stitches were removed there later, the nurse complimented the North Devon team on the high quality of the suture. These positive comments were repeated by my orthopedic surgeon in the USA upon my return there.

I am now well along in my recovery, undergoing physical therapy, and able to walk well with a single crutch, which I soon will not need at all.

The British Health Service has been heavily criticized here in the USA as "socialized medicine". Having experienced it at first hand I can tell people here that the British system works very well indeed.

Thank you for all of your efforts on my behalf.

Colin G. Drury

What could be improved

The care was excellent throughout.

Anything else?

You may share my comments with any staff members, and with the North Devon community.