"Poor patient involvement"

I had a scaphoid fracture back on 15th February and was put in a cast for 10 weeks. The doctors who assessed me at A&E and the nurses who applied the cast were all very nice but I did feel a bit like they were telling me information rather than involving me in it.

I find it a bit strange to be given an appointment a full 10 weeks after my first visit. I would have thought periodic x-rays to monitor the healing process would be common. I'm very active and swim for a team where I normally train 8 or 9 times a week so it's very hard for me to go so long without being able to do any exercise. I've had some very low moments over the past 6 weeks as a result.

Last week I phoned the fracture clinic to ask whether I could come in to speak to a doctor about it. I thought that if I could at least come in and speak to a doctor and maybe have another x-ray to check on the healing process at the 5-week point it would at least put my mind at rest and make it easier to deal with the remaining 5 weeks.

I was quite rudely told that it doesn’t work like that - apparently patients aren’t allowed to request to see a doctor.

Several times I've been tempted to take a pair of secateurs to the cast myself as I'm struggling to deal with it anymore. I'd rather make an informed decision about removing it myself with an update x-ray and doctor to look at it with me. But I don't think I can go another 4 weeks of this and it's clear I'm not going to get that.

I realise you're all under a lot of pressure but letting me get to this state I think shows poor care.