"Issues with my wife's care"

My wife has Parkinson's and in 2015 she had a problem with her right foot, where the toe next to her big toe was lifted - well the nub of the rub is that I felt the booking office was not fit for purpose.

When we spoke to the surgeon, he said she would have 3 operations. The result was, after the first minor op in July, the surgeon said that they felt that they could have done better and that they would correct it in a later operation. We felt that the surgeon didn't fix it, and just broke my wife's trust.

Then in 2016, she had 2 corrective operations, one of which was private as the NHS couldn't fit her in. Then at the start of 2017, had a letter to say wife should be looked at. I believe the limit is 12 weeks, which meant the end of the month. Now, when we saw the consultant they said let's have a look at that foot then. I asked what about the first, second operation and they told her that she was to go up in January. They never even looked at her left foot.

Of course, the stress of this over the years has had a big effect on us. I was on a walk when my phone rang and I was told that they could not fit my wife’s third operation in. Suggested a private care provider, I said ok, book her in. Got in, rescheduled in May, when 6 months was up, took a phone call for orthopaedics from a beautiful member of staff.

The staff member said that they would like to see my wife and looked at her. They told me that it would not be as good as if they had done it the first time but that they had trained at the same place as the other person. Didn't know but they picked the phone up, trying to get theatre time for my wife. It wasn't long before they got a date arranged. I said thanks, they said no worries.

On the Monday, I rang the booking office, already checking because the operation was due Friday and I knew they sometimes had problems. was told she was not booked in yet, there was no such operation on record. I rang again on Wednesday: same thing. I told the staff member to go and find someone else who can tell me what time to bring my wife in.

They rang again and said that we needed to be there at 9:30 on Friday

I said I would bring her in at 8:30 regardless, as I don't trust their booking system.

Went into Hay Lodge in June for six weeks, no one wanted to touch the other foot from the private care provider. Monday came and she regressed to an infant, developed a temperature. I brought her to A&E and saw a doctor. I had to ask how to get decent food around here and I was told that what you've got to do, is regularly go past M&S. We saw a doctor again and we were told that they were going to hand us over. There was no one on Day Physio. And no improvement of food. They closed down the onsite kitchens, and I believe they get all their food delivered. I rang a senior staff member to chase my wife’s care up. I feel that you have to. I was asked if my wife has Parkinson's as an early diagnosis is essential.

In early April, we saw a staff member who repeatedly told us that arrangements have been made for a test in October. I felt that this was vague, to say the least. I think the results indicated Parkinson's. The early indications, and the medication nipped that in the bud.

I rang the senior staff member a second time and asked that they put me in touch with a senior staff member of the cottage hospital who was most sympathetic and assigned a team, made sure she got physical exercise. Moving around is important and combined with the decent food at the cottage hospital, I believe is sure to lead to a speedy recovery.