The phone rang about 9.30 this morning, just as I was beginning to answer some posts. John's NH!
They had noticed when they were showering him that one of his big toes was badly swollen and seemed to be dislocated. They'd rung the GP, and he'd said to take him to casualty because it would need to be X-rayed.
I went straight to the home, and went with John and a senior carer in the NH's transport.
He was seen pretty well straight away by a nurse, then the consultant, then for an X-ray. Back to casualty, consultant again, no evidence of damage, but keep an eye on it and give pain killers as required.
That was good news! I was afraid he'd need an anaesthetic if it was broken.
What was also good was that the whole process took only an hour and a half!
Evidence that the work we've put into improving journey time for patients with dementia has actually had an effect. (And they didn't know I was on the panel!)
John didn't seem to be in too much pain, and was sound asleep when I left. And I'm looking forward to having something positive to report at our next hospital development meeting!