"Visit to Fracture Clinic - Wednesday 13 July"

My Husband fell off his bike and dislocated two toes and had several abrasions to his face on Wednesday 6 July.

We live in Gosport and visited the Minor Injuries Unit at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital.

I have nothing but praise for the staff in that department.

The dislocated toes were put back in place and strapped up and my Husband was fitted with a boot to wear.

On leaving the department the Nurse Practitioner gave him some paperwork and said that he would be contacted by phone by the Fracture Clinic at Queen Alexander to discuss whether any follow up treatment was needed but that it may not be necessary. The paperwork also stated that we would receive a letter detailing any follow up.

My Husband did indeed receive a call the next day with an appointment at Queen Alexander Hospital.

No discussion took place, just an appointment time.

I telephoned the Fracture Clinic to ask whether it was necessary for him to attend Queen Alexander.

I was asked if we had received a letter - we had not.

I asked exactly what would be happening at the given appointment and was told it was to see if the boot could be removed.

I then asked if he would need another X Ray and was told he may do.

I further asked if we could possibly attend the War Memorial as it seemed an unnecessary long journey and a drain on already stretched resources.

I was told no.

When my Husband was seen at the Fracture Clinic he was told another X Ray was needed to see if the toes had stayed in.

I feel that this could have been done at the War Memorial Hospital here in Gosport which would have saved a great deal of time on both our part and NHS resources.

Can someone please explain to me why for a simple X Ray we could not have gone to the War Memorial.

It seems absolutely ridiculous to have to travel all that way.

Surely with technology as it is today the X Ray could have been sent through to the Fracture Clinic.

I would just like to add that the care received at the Fracture Clinic was excellent.