"Wonderful care at the Emergency department, Royal Melbourne Hospital"

A few months ago, I fell in the street whilst holidaying in Melbourne. Knowing I had really hurt my arm, I caught a taxi to Royal Melbourne Hospital ED. Arriving there about 6. 30pm, I was seen by a doctor within 10 minutes, X ray of my arm within another 10 minutes, and back seeing the original doctor within 15 minutes. A clean break of the neck of the radius in my arm, naturally the dominant one. As plastering would have involved wrist to shoulder, under the circumstances it was decided to support the arm in a sling.

Considering I am in my mid seventies and by myself -- therefore no help available for dressing and toiletting, it was strongly recommended I stay overnight. However, my requests to return to my hotel were finally agreed to -- until I found I could not put my cardigan on even with help.

So, an overnight stay, help by another staff member who contacted the hotel, and then Qantas, in order to change my flight home to Sydney to the next day.

As if this was not enough, 3 days later I received a phone call from the head orthopaedic person in ED to make sure I had visited my local hospital in Sydney for a referral to their Fracture Clinic, and to make sure I knew of the danger of getting a frozen shoulder. Wonderful care.