"Top service in all the departments I have used..."

I broke my ankle in 3 places on 17th April and was taken by 2 angels in the ambulance to A&E, where more angels worked their magic by sedating me and fixing the ankle back together. A member of staff explained what would happen, and I cannot fault his care of me. All staff were kind, caring, professional, and kept my spirits up as best they could. After a couple of nights on Ward 1, I was allowed to go home until the operation to repair my fibula was booked a week later. When I returned for the operation, I was given the choice of sedation: epidural and sedation or full anaesthesia. The benefits/risks of both were fully explained to me. I spent a further 2 nights on Ward 9 before being discharged. The nurses on both ward 1 & 9 were run completely ragged, especially as it contained mostly elderly women (at 59 I was one of the youngest!) I've never seen people work as hard, or as cheerfully, as the nurses on those wards. I had to keep calling for a bed pan (as did everyone else!) and they responded quickly, and made the hugely embarrassing process seem normal. This encouragement and human touch made all the difference to my spirits which were quite low at the time. Subsequent appointments to the fracture clinic and medical imaging have been positive experiences also. Positive, professional and caring people at all levels. In addition to the broken ankle, I also thought I had a lump in my breast, and an appointment at the Jasmine Centre was made via my GP. I was seen quickly, examined and had a mammogram. I was reassured it was lumpy scar tissue from a lumpectomy nearly 10 years ago, and was in and out in just under an hour! I also went for a bone density scan due to the nature of the break in my ankle, and again was seen quickly, cheerfully and professionally. I am due to go for cast removal in a week, and another x-ray on the 25th June to see if I can start weight bearing, and I have the utmost trust in their decisions. I'd better also include the physios in this eulogy! The lovely ladies who sorted out a zimmer frame, perch stool and toilet frame after my stay on ward 1, and again who organised the crutches following my stay on ward 9, and who provided invaluable advice on use of the aids. These, together with a wheelchair I've purchased myself, have meant I can get around the house fairly easily, and live a semblance of a normal life while being unable to bear weight. The support staff who provided meals and drinks were cheerful, punctual and friendly, as were those who provided washing facilities first thing in the morning. I've always valued the NHS, but I can honestly say from the amount of times I've visited DRI recently, the care has been truly excellent, both clinically and in human terms. The staff working at DRI are truly amazing, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their care of me.