"A & E on the Bank Holiday weekend"

On Saturday, due to his own stupidity, I took my 86 year old husband to A & E dripping blood after an accident with a circular saw. We arrived at 2.30pm. He was assessed, given a tetanus injection and X-ray. He then saw a plastic surgeon who explained that he needed surgery. He was bandaged up given antibiotics and pre-op checks, blood tests, heart trace etcetera and told to return on Sunday morning. All the staff he saw were efficient and friendly.

We returned at 7.30 am on Sunday and he was settled into a comfy recliner, in his own clothes in ward 37, I was able to stay with him. The atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed so much so that he dozed off (and this is a man who suffers from anxiety). We saw the anaesthetist and the surgeon who both explained his options, the procedure and the aftereffects of the anaesthetic clearly.

Immediately before surgery he changed into a gown and then went to theatre, he watched the operation on a TV monitor. He was immediately returned to me and I helped him get changed (heavily bandaged from elbow to fingertips) He settled back in his recliner and a really nice nurse brought us a coffee and a sandwich for him. We were home by lunchtime. All the staff involved in his care, from the porter to the surgeon were first class in every way, inspiring confidence.

That night my husband was having a panic and would no doubt ended up back in A & E but for the fact I had seen the anaesthetist with him and listened carefully to the aftereffects of the anaesthetic and was able to allay his fears.

Thank you to all the staff who made these visits as pleasant and stress free as possible. On Tuesday morning, straight after the Bank Holiday the hospital rang us to arrange a follow up appointment for Friday.