Yesterday, my grandmother had a bad accident whilst cycling. She fell off a causeway down a 4m drop and landed on her back and head. She was in absolute agony until she was given a shot of morphine. The emergency services took 25minutes to reach her, by which time she was overcome by the pain in her back and neck. Because of her awkward position (down a sea wall on the mud and rocks), it took two ambulance crews and the coast guard to get her onto a back board and up to an ambulance before she received any pain relief, about an hour and a half after her accident.
Once she arrived at hospital she was cleaned up and taken for x-rays and a CT scan because of her back pain and head injury. We arrived at the hospital just before she was taken to x-ray and she was calmer but very worried about her back and neck, as were the doctors.
She was given the all clear as far as spinal injury and got away lightly with a few broken ribs and a head and leg injury. The doctors are currently keeping her in hospital for a few days for observation due to the nature of her injuries.
Through this process I saw the other side of medical treatment in a hospital setting - the side of the patient and of the family. The staff were very reassuring and gentle with both Grandma and my family. They kept us well informed of what was going on and were very efficient, even giving time to talk to us and explain exactly what was going on. It was nice to see a hospital 'from the other side' again and the nurses' and doctors' attitudes towards patients and family were caring, efficient and professional, great examples of how anyone in the healthcare profession should be!
Charlie x
