"I had a bad day on Monday!"

I am 70 years old and I broke my ankle at the end of May in Kent.

Since returning home to Lincolnshire I have been twice to Peterborough Hospital to attend the Fracture Clinic. because I cant drive myself, transport has been provided, and although cars were specifically asked for, on two occasions mini buses were provided. Perhaps whosoever reads this has never had to climb into a mini bus with a broken ankle, one of the most frightening things you can imagine.

On Monday, even though a car was asked for six weeks ago, the taxi company forgot me, sent a mini bus, an hour late and did not inform me of the delay, so I stood in drive way, waiting, waiting.

dumped by my driver and reliant on the hospital buggy to get about, I discovered that it cant take me to a clinic but has to leave me with a long corridor to struggle down. ( I should mention in fairness the driver did go back and get a wheelchair for me, but its all more trauma) The person who took my x'rays made me climb up steps, I have not had the courage to climb steps so I stood in fear of falling whilst they checked what they had done.

Some doctors tell you to rest and elevate your broken ankle, others tell you to walk and exercise, and my consultant laughed at my attempts to get fit again.

They told me that my ankle has not healed, I was so bemused I forgot to ask exactly what that meant!

I don't know how to contact my consultant directly, and if I did, would they take time out of their busy schedule to speak to me.

I know the NHS is under strain, I hear what everyone says. and believe me I have seen for myself its crumbling façade, but surely as a legitimate patient, I am entitled to some respect for my age and my condition, surely someone must be in charge of patient welfare.

It need not take much effort to go the extra mile to see people are comfortable safe, and not scared.

bad enough to break an ankle, without being treated as just an other number to process.

I will be fine, in the end I will get well, but just now I feel miserable and let down, and I thought someone should know.