Sue Hodgson's Story

my son daughter has club feet
Wednesday 7th September 2005

I was informed, in Clinic, Lucy may have the procedure week beginning 12th or 19th of September. At this point I informed them that I needed a couple of days notice so that my husband could have the day off (unpaid of course). Mr X (WONT MENTION ANY NAMES) (Consultant), said that was fine and that he would get his secretary to call me and let me know. He also informed me that if the procedure was carried out in clinic it would be a Weds, if in theatre then on a Friday. I said that was OK and Mr X took my home and mobile phone numbers.

Monday 12th September 2005

I had not heard anything and my friend Jennie was going for some test at the hospital so I got a lift down with her and so I could see the physio and Mr X. We arrived at lunch time and the receptionist at Mr X’s clinic informed me that his secretary was on lunch and so I said I’d pop back in a bit.

I went to the physio where my daughter was discharged from treatment on her other foot as her progress has been very rapid.

I returned to Mr X’s clinic and the receptionist called his secretary who informed me that she hadn’t typed up the notes for my daughter yet, and confirmed that even though this hadn’t been done she was on the waiting list as urgent. The receptionist then informed the secretary that Mr X had been talking about doing the procedure this week or next week and the secretary said if that was the case she would look at the notes and call me back the same day who would then let me know either way. I was a bit shaken up about this as I was worried that my daughter may not get her operation and my confidence was knocked by the fact that she hadn’t had her notes put on the system yet.

I heard nothing from her that day so at about 4:45pm I called them and there was no answer. I left her a message to call me and let me know what was happening. In the beginning we were told that if I didn’t hear anything I should just go along on the Wednesday to have her plaster changed as normal.


Tuesday 13th September 2005

I had received no phone call all day so I arranged for my friend Jennie to take me in again on Wednesday. I couldn’t understand why no-one had taken the time to inform we what was going on.


Wednesday 14th September 2005

We couldn’t find a parking space so I said I'd go in and she could meet me inside. She knew where to go in the hospital as she has always brought us in as my husband cannot take any leave without having his wages docked and we have 3 children to support.
We went in and the plaster man started taking her cast off. When it was off Mr X came in and said, “right, let’s go then.” I said, “Go, go where”? He then said, “we’re doing the procedure today”. I said, “you’re what”? He then repeated what he had said, “doing the procedure”!! I told him that no-one had called me to tell me and his response was “oh well, can’t be helped”. I found this rude and unprofessional.
I was taken into a side room and prepared for everything. I wasn’t really aware of what was going on as I was in a state of shock. I was given the forms to sign and Mr X told me what was on it and I signed it. I was in SHOCK and I didn’t really know what was going on. I was worried about my daughter and I wanted my husband there with me. We had been given no time to arrange for my husband to be there to support me. I was also worried about my friend who has already done so much for me, and for my other little girl she had with her. If she had to leave for some reason how would I get home with my kids? We’re not millionaires we can’t just jump in a cab The nurse asked me if I was OK and I said I wasn’t really. They asked me to put Lucy on the bed on her back and I said could someone please see if my friend was outside with my other little girl. They found Jennie and when they told her what was happening she said, “they’re never doing the op today”? The nurse said yes, and Jennie informed her that I wouldn’t be very happy about that. The nurse told her to wait outside and Jennie asked if she could see me as she knew I’d be in a right state. The nurse agreed to let Jennie stick her head round the door.
Jennie asked me if I was alright and I said I wasn’t really and she asked if I wanted her to come in and I said that I would. They put my other daughter Sophie on a chair kind of away from everything. If my husband had been there he could have helped with this situation which I found very upsetting.


The Operation That Followed

Then they injected the anaesthetic into Lucy’s heel. Put the needle down, picked up the scalpal and cut right through her foot. There was NO time inbetween the injection and the incision. I have NEVER in my life heard such a blood curdling scream. I sounded like they were murdering her! Two nurses were trying to pin her down without much success as she kept wriggling free.
Then Mr X said that I could buy some Calpol and give her that to ease any pain she might have. The nurse had to inform Mr Madan that I couldn’t buy Calpol as Lucy was only 8 weeks old and that he would have to prescribe it. His response was, “oh, OK then, I will do that then”.


SO that was then.

This monday just gone I saw a new consultant as I arranged to change hospitals with Lucy. Her new consultant was VERY nice and explained everything. She was fitted with her DBB on monday and I havent slept since! but thats a whole new topic!!!


Added on 27 May 2006

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