"My Accident in Mid Wales "

Dear Sir or Madam

Whilst on a few days break in the Elan Valley Mid Wales, my touring caravan steps tipped over as I was getting into our caravan, my left leg was caught between the two steps as I fell. An ambulance was called and I was taken to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth where it was confirmed I had fractured my left leg. They immobilised my leg and said I must attend my local hospital ASAP. So I attended Stafford Hospital first thing on Monday 17th March.

I would like you to pass on my heartfelt thanks to all of your staff who helped me during my recent stay in Stafford Hospital.

These include the helpful cheery A&E receptionist, nurses and doctor in A&E and the porter who took me to the Surgical Assessment Ward. The nursing staff on the Surgical Assessment Ward and again the porter who took me to the Trauma and Orthopaedics ward.

I should point out two things I have Sleep Apnoea which is controlled with a CPAP machine and that I have a very bad needle phobia, so when I was told due to my sleep Apnoea it was not advisable for me to have a general anaesthetic and that I would need to have an epidural and would be awake during the operation I was, to say the least, petrified. However the Anaesthetist calmed me down and I cannot thank him enough.

The surgical team were also very kind and understanding during my pre-op assessment again taking into account my fears. I believe the surgeon had a very difficult task to perform in repairing my broken leg due to where the break was.

The porter who took me to theatre lives in Rugeley as I do, he kept me calm by keeping my mind occupied along the way and also in the room where I had the epidural, he is a credit to the hospital.

The Anaesthetist, the Surgeon and his team were brilliant whilst administering a 'local' in my back, then the epidural. During the operation the Anaesthetist again kept my mind occupied which without I am not sure how I would have coped.

After the operation the lady in the recovery room was great, as I was totally awake we were able to have a conversation whilst she did the necessary checks and paperwork.

Back on the ward all of the staff who looked after me were brilliant as they were before my operation.

The surgeon and his team visited me on the ward again, I was told all of the 'do's and don'ts, they answered all my questions and again put my mind at rest.

To you all many, many thanks without you all what started as my worst nightmare turned into something that I was able to tolerate.

One other thing, you hear people complain about 'hospital' food, well all the food I had, was well cooked and very tasty.

Your sincerely