Laura shares their NHS memories

Laura shares her NHS experience as a patient.

I was born in 1981 In Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, I was diagnosed with a dislocated Hip and Hip Dysplasia at 9 days old, I had 6 surgeries as a child on my hip.

I moved to Somerset in 2002 and my care moved to Musgrove Park Hospital, I had known for a long time that I would need a total hip replacement at some point and in Feb 2020 I was told I would be going on the list of course by March we were locked down and in the Covid 19 global Pandemic. I officially went on the list in sept 2020 at that time I was told the wait would be 6 Months, unfortunately it was actually 22 months with one cancellation before I had the surgery. However on the day and during my admission I couldn't have received better care, despite being incredibly short staffed and it being the weekend the new Junior Doctors started at the hospital.

Every nurse, HCA, OT, Physio, Radiographer, Surgeon, Anaesthetist who were involved in my care couldn't have been kinder or more caring, every time I rang my buzzer, asked for pain relief or other help it was there with a smile. My family were welcomed onto the ward as well.

This operation was changed my life for the better and I am so very grateful for our wonderful NHS and the Doctors and nurses and other healthcare staff who gave me my life back.