This Clinic requires an Audit. It is a long journey up from the outpatients entrance to this clinic when you are on crutches and a full leg plaster. There is no one around apart from workmen and staff rushing past. There are no chairs anywhere to stop and rest, or chairs to wait on for a taxi outside. The fracture clinic is understaffed. I wait for over 3 hours to be seen, am seen by a dr for 5 mins then sent to xray where I wait for another hour before going back to wait to be seen by the dr again, only to be told the same thing at each of the stages - it's broken. That is the only thing I am told - and this I already know from A&E 10 days prior. There is no communication given to the roomful of people waiting from the receptionists who look bored and in between desk enquiries watch tv on their desk monitors. One receptionist takes pity on me after the 2 1/2 hour mark and fills up my water bottle from the staff kitchen sink. The tv screen in the wait room has a 'no signlal' on it. There is no water, no possibility of a drink, no information, and then when you finally do get to see a consultant they are in a rush, do not give you any information. Trying to ask for help or information I was treated as though I was stupid, or with antagonism. I left with no instructions on how to care for my injury. The Dr did not ask about my levels of pain, my care of the injury, anything. I tried to ask about what the next stages of treatment would be but they were not interested in answering my questions. This doctor was halfway out of the room the whole time. People who are in here have broken bones and are generally in a state of shock. I have personally found it very difficult to cope with my injury, it is painful and does not seem to be healing. But I have no idea of what to expect. All of the staff need training on basic bedside empathetic manners, and the reception area needs to provide correct seating (somewhere to elevate broken legs) and provide basic services like water / cup of tea / information about wait times. I found the whole process to be completely traumatic and without any sense of care. The x-ray staff were the only ones who worked in a professional and reassuring manner, and who treated me with respect. I have no idea how to do post injury care and I dread having to go back to this place for another day of trauma.
"Fracture Clinic - very poor treatment of patients"
About: Manchester Royal Infirmary Manchester Royal Infirmary Manchester M13 9WL
Posted via nhs.uk
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