I injured my foot bouldering on Monday evening. I couldn't walk but iced it, took ibuprofen and crossed my fingers that it would be better in the morning as I had to get on a train to Exeter for work the next day. When I woke up it definitely wasn't better.
The was no swelling or bruising but I couldn't put any weight on my foot at all. I was starting to think I might need to get it looked at but I didn't really want to, so rang NHS direct. I got through straight away (this was about 7. 30am) and after speaking to the person on the phone they told me that I should go to A&E. They said I should ideally get someone to drive me or get a taxi and it was nice of them to remind me to take change for parking should I go in a friend's car.
I called a friend and they very kindly drove me to A&E, which was very quiet at 8am. The place was clean and bright and they receptionist took my details and I was triaged immediately by a lovely nurse who also got me some pain killers.
After a little wait, I was seen by the nurse practitioner. I did not know her name but she was very lovely and helpful. She looked over my foot and arranged an xray for me. She found me a wheel chair and pushed me through to the Xray Dept. En route I mentioned I needed to go to Exeter for work that afternoon and she said she would arrange for me to have some crutches.
The ladies in Xray were very friendly and I was straight in and out. What I did notice was that there was a young boy say next to us and the person on the xray reception came over to say she noticed they had been there some time and asked him and his dad what they were waiting for. She then helped them get sorted. I thought this was really impressive.
I met again with the nurse practitioner after a short wait in A&E and she confirmed that I had not broken anything but she suspected I had strained a tendon in my foot. The only thing I could do was rest it and use crutches to take some of the weight off it when I am walking. This was probably the best news I could have as nothing was broken or torn and hopefully I should be back to normal in a couple of weeks.
The only thing that let Rotherham Hospital down for me (especially as I was in and out with in 2 hours) was when I was called by the member of staff to collect my crutches, she shouted my name from the corridor and walked off. I was left to hobble after her and find where she went. Once in the room she asked which one of my friend and I needed the crutches. Considering I limped in there in visible pain I found that a bit ridiculous. I was also told by the nurse practitioner that I would been shown how to use crutches as I had never had them before and she wanted me to put at least some weight on my injured foot but this member of staff just fitted them to my height and gave me no advice.
However, overall I was very happy and was able to make my train: )
"A&E at rotherham: in and out within 2 hours"
About: NHS Direct NHS Trust NHS Direct NHS Trust E1 8EU Rotherham Hospital / Accident and emergency Rotherham Hospital Accident and emergency Rotherham S60 2UD
Posted by Sarah2 (as ),
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