Care Opinion

Would not do the x-ray

Posted By FrancesClaire

"Would not do the x-ray"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Emergency department Emergency department / Minor Injuries Unit Mid-Ulster Hospital / Radiology

(as a relative),

My mum who is in her 80s had a fall and hurt her wrist. Her Dr gave me the phone first number so minor injuries in Altnagelvin could x-ray her hand. We were assured on the phone it could be done and got an appointment. When we got into minor injuries, which appeared to be empty, a medical person in dark red scrubs informed us our mum had more problems than a sore arm and they would not do the x-ray presumably because she is elderly and with early dementia. They told us accident and emergency was not too bad and we were escorted there and left.

There were hundreds there. People were even laying outside. We enquired at the reception and were told she would be at least 5 hours, which we knew she could not do, so had to take her home as she was exhausted.

Next day with a drs letter in hand we arranged an appointment in Mid Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt. Staff were absolutely brilliant and had mum x-rayed in no time at all and discovered she had a broken wrist. Could not praise them highly enough. The staff at the Mid Ulster Hospital made us feel like human beings.

Then we had to go back to Altnagelvin and drag poor mum inside again in order to book the fracture clinic which seemed rather silly.

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Responses

Response from Rebecca Getty, Assistant Director Diagnostic & Clinical Services, Surgical & Clinical Services, NHSCT last week
Rebecca Getty
Assistant Director Diagnostic & Clinical Services, Surgical & Clinical Services,
NHSCT

Submitted on 29/01/2025 at 11:13
Published on Care Opinion at 11:13

Hi FrancesClaire

Thank you so much for your feedback on your Mum's experience at Mid Ulster Radiology Department and Minor Injuries Unit. I am so glad it was so positive. I really hope your Mum's wrist heals well and that the rest of your journey is less stressful. Kind regards Rebecca

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Update posted by FrancesClaire (a relative)

Thanks Rebecca. Mum's healing seems to be going well.

Response from Rebecca Getty, Assistant Director Diagnostic & Clinical Services, Surgical & Clinical Services, NHSCT last week
Rebecca Getty
Assistant Director Diagnostic & Clinical Services, Surgical & Clinical Services,
NHSCT

Submitted on 29/01/2025 at 13:28
Published on Care Opinion at 13:28

Glad to hear that FrancesClaire. Best wishes

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Response from Sara McNally, Interim Site Lead, Radiology, NHSCT 6 days ago
Sara McNally
Interim Site Lead, Radiology,
NHSCT

Submitted on 30/01/2025 at 14:05
Published on Care Opinion at 16:22

Hi FrancesClaire,

Thank you for the lovely feedback on your Mums care at MUH Radiology. I am glad to hear it was a positive experience and that it enabled your Mum to get treatment. It is refreshing feedback to pass onto the whole team. I hope all is going well for your Mum in her healing process. Thank you Sara

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Update posted by FrancesClaire (a relative)

Thanks Sara.All going well now.

Response from Bronagh McHugh, Western Health and Social Care Trust 5 days ago
Bronagh McHugh
Western Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 31/01/2025 at 17:00
Published on Care Opinion at 17:00

Hello FrancesClaire,

Firstly, I am disappointed and apologise that your mum and such a negative journey in MIU.

As we have no details on your mum we can not confirm the rational behind the practitioner's decision. However, on discussion with staff, they recognised your mums story.

From the staff we believe to be involved, there understanding and rational for transferring your mum to ED was that your mum was: Having increased falls, she sustained a head injury on a recent fall, and on a this fall sustained a wrist injury which we now know unfortunately was fractured. They had felt further assessment and investigations needed to be done.

If she had a wrist injury only, regardless of dementia diagnosis then this is on or inclusion criteria and I can only apologise that this was not assessed and treated in MIU.

However, the practitioner felt your mum needed a holistic assessment.

Giving that she was a 'silver trauma', a silver trauma criteria being:

1. Fall from standing

2. Age 65 and over

3.Two or more injuries

Which therefore requires a medical assessment.

We were not aware of a GP letter on her first presentation clearing her from this point but if you have more information I am more than happy to discuss and will share with staff involved.

When your mum was transferred to ED, the MIU nurse had handed over your mums details to the medical team, stating that she had initially attended MIU and had explained she needed further assessment in ED.

The reception staff would not of been aware, or had this information therefore would of been giving the 'time to be seen' based on the ED screen in general at that time, which we discourage staff from doing as this continually changing environment.

I apologise that your mum had to leave without being assessed, and treated for her injures, I hope her return journey to MIU was a better experience.

All be it, I agree could also of been avoided.

The fact she had to return to another unit just to get referred to fracture clinic is not ideal, but we are happy to arrange for the patient to ensure they are referred to the appropriate speciality Drs for follow up care. Be reassured there is meetings planned where we plan to discuss, and improve this pathway going forward with or orthopaedic colleagues in the fracture clinic. I hope this will include pathways for Mid Ulster Minor Injury Unit.

I am sorry to here your mum sustained a fracture and I hope she is recovering well. Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback, all feedback is welcome in order to highlight issues to staff, to learn from and to improve our services for the patient journey's in the future.

Wishing your mum a speedy recovery to good health.

Regards,

Bronagh McHugh

Minor Injury Unit Manager

Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

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