Your experience of hospital following a crash

Would be happy to help... Do you want me to PM you?

Ok here goes then ...
Off at nearly 20mph on tarka trail near bideford. Right hand side hit Tarmac but head grass next to trail. Not quite unconscious but delirious and unable to move. Emergency ambulance called, arrived very quickly. Paramedics did ongoing assessment and got me on to stretcher with neck restraint. Obvious broken clavicle, likely broken ribs and low blood pressure therefore possible pneumo thorax and internal injuries. My score justified a full A&E theatre so blue light job while administering oxygen. Comprehensive tests on arrival revealed nothing untoward or life threatening

Admitted to ward straight away and pain relief strategy started. Very regular updates from senior staff and very friendly and business like attitude at Barnstaple hospital. Consultant advised that clavicle would not heal naturally and would need plating. He would like to do the op straight away but could be dangerous until pneumo thorax healed. Discharged the following day with appropriate meds.

Two weeks later, appointment at derriford fracture clinic above diagnosis confirmed and OP arranged for four days later. Full communication from consultant, surgeon and anaesthetist. Operation performed on time and went as planned. Sent to ward for post op recovery and pain management, discharged the following day.

Regular assessment at fracture clinic and referral for local physio (a cyclist). Final consultation next week and hopefully all clear. First class service throughout. Oh and I was asked to talk to a group of visiting students about what it was like to be a trauma patient which was cool!

Looking at your op... Paramedics team at scene of accident, liaise with theatre team at A&E deciding size of team and expertise needed. Radiographer part of initial team. Liaise with ward arrange ongoing pain relief, family, bike etc. discharge and ongoing referral to new hospital transfer of info and x rays. Arranging for and coordinating operation at short notice. Mrsa tests. Operating team and post OP care, physio and ongoing home recovery. Seems pretty complex operation now I think about it. Then there's bed space, cleaning, catering staff, pharmacy, handover between day and night staff. I'm sure there is loads I've forgotten but I remember being pretty boggled at how much is involved from so many people and how much they have to work together just for little old me

@je... Is that the sort of info you wanted?

My overall feeling is how quickly you go from independence to utter helplessness and how much you rely on these guys to do their jobs properly

Broke my jaw in Richmond Park. A passing motorist put down his sunroof and put my bike on the back seat. A & E allowed me to take my bike in when I was being treated as I don't travel with a lock! Staff were very helpful at every stage.

Can only speak on my OH's behalf but she was dropped at A&E by the taxi driver that hit her. She was seen to relatively quickly by the nurse on duty but had to wait around 5 hours in total to get xrayed and discharged. Unfortunately by this point it was too late to get any of the painkillers specified by the A&E doctor from the hospital pharmacy.

Otherwise people were nice although luckily I was there to help her with some basic tasks (fetching blankets, helping her get to the loo etc) because no-one came to check on her at any point while she was waiting.

Broke my wrist on the 1st of October about 4pm. Fell of mtb when out doing the shopping, my own fault. Walked 500m to local docs in Aviemore where they x-rayed me and emailed the pics to the consultant in Inverness. They put a cast on me in Aviemore then taken by ambulance to Inverness (developed a taste for Entenox on the way).

Operated on next day, 1200 quid titanium plate put in wrist and a big bandage put on my arm (not a cast). Let home two days later. Three weeks later the bandage was removed in Inverness, wrist x-rayed and I was given a wrist brace to wear.

I was able to drive after five weeks and cycle after six, managed 20 miles and it hurt a bit especially in the drops. I had full use of my hand pretty quickly and the wrist is coming along nicely. Treated very professionally by all involved. Having an x-ray machine in our village and the facility to send the pics to a consultant in Inverness has been a game changer for my local GPs, we get a lot of skiing injuries. Care was very good, especially in the ambulance and on the ward.

In my experience the staff were all pleasant to deal with but communication was an issue.

Got taken out by a car on Friday 27th September. Was dealt with swiftly at A&E and was informed following x-rays that my clearly broken collarbone was indeed broken but I wouldn't need surgery. Sent home with an appointment for Monday's fracture clinic where I was informed that I also had a broken scapula (glenoid neck displaced & angulated fracture) and wold need surgery. Had further x-rays and was sent to A&E for a CT scan. Informed A&E reception what I was there for only to be called in to see an A&E consultant. Consultant: "What can I do for you?" Me: "Er, I'm here for a CT scan"... A&E consultant was very nice about it and personally escorted me to the place for CT scan, following which the orthopaedic department told me they'd call me to arrange surgery later in the week.

Didn't receive a call so I chased them up and was told I'd need to come back in to do a 3d reconstructive scan, which after further phone calls turned out they'd just be doing a 3d reconstruction using the CT scan I'd had on the Monday. Was told I'd be having surgery on the following Tuesday and they'd call Monday morning to confirm. Again no phone call so I called and was told it'd still probably be Tuesday so I should go nil be mouth and expect a call by 9.30am to confirm. 9.30 came and went so I called and was told to come in for day surgery.

Had the surgery (plates on clavicle and scapula) and was set to go home the next day but radiographer informed me I had a large pneumothorax and wouldn't be going anywhere! Had a chest drain inserted and the assistant surgeon came to have a chat and told me these things happen as sometimes the drill slips. The main surgeon later visited me and told me that he would've known if the drill had slipped and my pneumothorax was more likely caused when they were manipulating my bones. Neither apologised, I assume so as not to implicate themselves.

Spent four nights in hospital and was told I'd receive a letter the following week for an orthopaedic follow up. Again, received nothing and had to call them. I get the feeling I would still be sat here waiting for surgery if I had waited for them to contact me!

Spiral fracture of the tim and fib.


The care and compassion are first class but I found the facility massively under resourced. On check ups for more x rays the waiting time from the appointment time to finishing is on average three hours. Through a fourteen week process thats about five visits in total which doesn't include the first visit upon breaking my leg.

The only other feedback was i've seen different consultants every time. On one occasion the vet was saying everything was fine but his body language and expression said otherwise. On the next visit he has left no notes…….Which was the only aspect wasn't happy with.