Visiting hospital during a pandemic

Aimee says:

After breaking her elbow, Ida needing an operation in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis was definitely the most stressful few days we had during lockdown. Her dad and I were worried about her injury and her first operation, but also the difficulties of how to access healthcare as well as the idea of spending so much time in hospital. There was anxiety about the possibility of infection, for ourselves or the staff, and about taking up NHS resources during the crisis.

We’re incredibly grateful for the care Ida received. Not only did the surgeon come in especially at the weekend to do the complex operation, but all the other staff were calm and welcoming despite the pressure they were under. Face masks were tricky for Ida and meant she did miss some of the conversation, although everyone tried to make eye contact and speak as clearly as possible. I was impressed how much staff tried to communicate directly with Ida despite the masks and her hearing difficulties, instead of relying on me to relay information to her. It was also important that I was allowed to stay with her overnight, despite the COVID situation, in order to reassure her and help her communicate where necessary. Ida herself did not need to wear a mask on the ward after the operation so she was more comfortable, and I was allowed to remove mine when we were the only two people in the room. Hearing was also made easier by the fact that the paediatric ward was very quiet that weekend so Ida did not have to struggle with background noise. The whole experience was managed very well, but it’s definitely not something I want to repeat!

Ida says:

Life under lockdown, which had finally settled into a routine of sorts, was tipped upside down after I broke my elbow in May. I was out running with my dad along a bridleway in Cornwall and about half an hour into our route, I tripped on the loose ground and fell forwards, throwing my hands out in front of me. My right elbow cracked clean in half, and off to A&E we went.

Hospital #1:

Mum and I arrived in A&E at about 6pm, with our homemade face masks and my steadily swelling arm. The nurse and doctor examined my elbow. Both were wearing face masks but were extremely understanding after I explained I was deaf and talked slowly, making sure that I understood what they wanted to do. I had an X-Ray and a CT scan which confirmed the break and my arm was put in a half cast overnight. We had an appointment booked for a specialist orthopaedic hospital the next morning. At 10pm, I headed home and (tried) to get some sleep.

Hospital #2:

The next morning, mum and I pulled into the car park of the orthopaedic hospital. The security staff called the reception to say we’d arrived so they could prepare in advance. Mum did the talking. If I’d been on my own I would have found it difficult to hear. When we were allowed in we were given proper medical facemasks to wear, instead of our homemade ones. It was fairly busy, with lots of background noise and staff everywhere. My consultant was incredibly friendly and understanding, and even went to fetch the arm off a skeleton in order to visually show me what had happened! I was told I’d need surgery on my elbow.

Hospital #3:

I felt reassured because I already knew this hospital quite well, as it’s where I usually have my audiology and ENT appointments. Outside the paediatric ward, we had to use an intercom before we entered – the sound quality was awful so mum had to sign me in! We were given medical facemasks again, and taken to my room. The ward was extremely quiet; all non-critical patients had been sent home so there was only me and a little boy with a dislocated arm. We met my nurse, who was friendly and chatty, and who made sure I understood what she was saying at all times. When it was time to go into surgery, Mum was allowed to come down into theatre with me wearing PPE, which helped a lot! This was my first operation, so I was a bit nervous but also very interested in what would happen! There were several doctors talking to us wearing their PPE – but as I was worried and it was busy, it was hard to hear. Then I was taken straight into the operating theatre, cutting out the anaesthetic room in order to reduce exposure to COVID-19. I personally thought it was really cool to see the inside of the theatre, as the surgeon said – many don’t get the chance!

The operation lasted three and a half hours. I woke up again just before 5pm in the recovery room and the nurse called my mum in. I was discharged by lunchtime the next day and back on the sofa at home!

Three hospitals and three days later, I had three screws in my right arm and a fairly large scar across my elbow. Overall, my hospital experience was very deaf aware and welcoming for me.

If you have to go to hospital at the moment, explain your needs. As a building full of medical professionals, they will understand and support you. I’ve always felt at home at my hospital, seeing other deaf people in ENT and knowing the nurses and receptionists in audiology. Being in such a supportive and welcoming environment has always given me confidence, and this is what made my surgery during the pandemic bearable.