"Impressed by treatment in North Devon district hospital"

On a hiking tour I broke my foot and my right humerus head. I was rescued by the coast guards and subsequently treated on Tarka ward in North Devon district hospital.

I was deeply impressed by the cordiality and friendliness of the complete staff. I was always treated with competence and respect. everybody who had to deal with me introduced him/herself with name and function. I was asked for my consent for everything that was done with or for me.

Everybody who entered the room had a friendly word for me, which was a great consolation. Whenever I rang the bell for a painkiller etc. I never had to wait longer than 5 minutes. The nurses hung up my wet tent and dried my sleeping bag so it won't get spoilt, they washed my dirty clothes, provided a book for me to avoid boredom.

I got all necessary assistance in corresponding with my employer, in arranging my transport back to Germany, in calling my sickness insurance.

The radiology assistant showed me exactly beforehand what I would have to do to make it the least painful for me. I still get tears in my eyes when I think of all the friendliness and help and respect I received in NDDH.

Contrast the program in the German hospital where I was treated afterwards: first thing, I was scolded because allegedly I had not told them I was coming, which was not true. Second they wanted my insurance card.

The doctor who apparently was quite bored with me did not ask me how I was. She never had a look at my insured arm although there were symptoms of a threatening compartment syndrome. Nobody came to wash me all day. The doctor hardly talked to me, but over me, he decided everything on his own (even though I am a colleague). He decided they would 'put me under the shower', and when he left he most jovially hit me on the injured shoulder. I sure would have liked to return to England!

Thanks so many times to the complete team of North Devon District Hospital!