"2Yr Wait! Operation 12/15 back 4 times+its..."

Poor,poor, poor! After waiting 2yrs for knee replacement, I had to write to my mp to get things done! Had the operation Dec 2014 & it was not right. Re admitted 3 weeks after the op, & again in Feb 2015 now my knee is always swollen, cant walk very far without pain & it swelling. Consultant was rude & kept telling me this is "normal" despite having 10yrs in ambulance service, wife works as specialist nurse & father-in-law a retired g.P. The consultant got so fed-up they tried to accuse me of being aggressive at one appointment!! Fortunately, my wife was present & we could see what they were trying to do by getting me off their list by saying I was aggressive!

Finally after months of "this is normal" the consultant suggested

I could see another surgeon for a 2nd opinion. So I'm awaiting to see the consultant but I have had a private physio look at my knee and they report that the swelling is down to the back of the patella not being cleaned/ smoothed! Plus, its generally accepted that the rear of the patients patella has a plastic protection film stuck to the back of it, unfortunately mine has neither! The private physio also thinks that my patella is off centre by 20-25mm!!

The treatment that I had to endure just by the consultant has been disgusting, condescending and arrogant. I'm 60yrs old but I have never experienced such poor treatment not only by the consultant but also on ward 5 too. When the ward was fully staffed things were great,however, more often than not the ward was severely under staffed. One night at 2am a patient started having hallucinations & became exceptionally aggressive, the 2 nurses on duty were in danger of being hit as the patient was swinging a metal drip stand around. As I was the only other patient+being mobile(on crutches, 3 days post op') I helped by trying to talk them into giving up their weapon. After an hour or so I realised that I was on my own,the staff had walked off leaving me with this patient swinging a metal drip stand around! The patient even smashed the wall & cupboards by their bed. My concern was not only for myself but also 2 other bed-bound patients who could easily have been injured!

After some 2 to 3 hours I eventually managed to calm them & get the metal pole off them! Im not looking for a bravery award or anything like that, only this should never have been allowed & putting myself & those nearby in extreme danger of injury!

The 2 staff members left me in danger, not to mention the 2 bed-bound patients! They were only interested in getting their routine work done & when I got away they were drinking tea/coffee at the nurses station!! Very professional(I dont think!)

I was exhausted mentally & physically. Never have I seen or experienced such a dangerous situation within a hospital. Their actions were totally unacceptable & unprofessional but down to not enough staff being available?.