A mother has said “we must treasure the NHS” after she received treatment in under six hours for a broken wrist.

Pauline Dunton, of Scotland Road in Buckhurst Hill, visited Whipps Cross Hospital's accident and emergency department in Leytonstone during the busiest time of the year, after she slipped on black ice outside her home on December 30.

Dr Alistair Chesser, director of emergency care at Barts NHS, said the Christmas and New Year period was particularly difficult for front-line staff due to a sudden surge of elderly patients.

Ambulances were diverted to other hospitals run by the trust and there were delays in treatment, as well as a shortage of beds.

But Mrs Dunton wanted to thank staff at Whipps Cross for their work saying she was “looked after the moment she stepped through the door”.

She said: “First of all I was lucky my neighbour saw me as I fell outside my house, she thought I was a bundle of rags by the recycling bins.

“She raised the alarm and my daughter drove me to the A & E department where we were immediately registered and given a reference number.

“Throughout the evening I had 3 lots of x.rays where it was discovered I had a broken wrist and fractured ulna.

“They were worried about the nerves in my hand and constantly checked my fingers.

“The hospital waiting areas were clean and tidy and every single person I dealt with was kind, polite and professional.

“I felt looked after the moment I stepped through the door.

“I think people today live in a instant-culture where you can get everything at your finger tips and are frustrated at having to wait for anything.

“There were 32 operations in front of me and you shouldn't mind that, people should understand they are to be seen in order of priority.

“What is more I got all this treatment for free including painkillers. In America this treatment would have cost over £50,000.

“My broken wrist proves the NHS is not broken and we should treasure it.”

 

In a new series on the NHS, the Guardian will feature experiences of patients, their families and staff of treatment provided across east London and west Essex. As A&Es continue to struggle with demand and politicians argue over the future of healthcare, we will publish first-hand accounts, features and news stories on the latest developments. We want to hear from you if you have something to say about your local hospital, GP surgery, or clinic. Click here for contact details of reporters covering your area. Alternatively, you can submit a story here.