"Emergency care"

I'm so humbled all over again by the wonderful health care system I believe we have in this country, the professionals in it, and also inspired all over again to do whatever I can to protect that system.

From the moment I tripped over a median strip and landed on my face and knees - I had walked across this main road many times but this time, we must have been closer to the traffic lights, so where there's usually no median strip, now there was one and I didn't see it in the twilight as we ran - the care could not have been more careful, sympathetic and forensic. The first paramedic, Domenic, reassured me and wrapped me in a foil blanket while we waited for the ambulance. That stopped my teeth chattering. He took a detailed history and did checks of blood, history, sites of pain etc, and the ambulance guys, Jack and his colleague who was driving, took the same details as a check.

At the hospital, I was seen first by the triage nurse, then admitted and put to bed by Jack and Nurse Anne to wait for treatment and checks. Michael, the first doctor, I found was again meticulous and kind. I liked the fact he got me to tell my story again in case a detail had been missed. He ordered a ct scan of my skull and face, and X-rays of my hand and knees, which I felt were done promptly by a terrific radiologist, in my opinion. Nurse Anne looked after me while we waited for the results. As I understand it, staff kept my partner in the waiting room informed.

Eventually, a second doctor, Maurice, checked everything, re-checked a hand X-ray, and then discharged me with letters for my GP and me. It seemed to me, no lasting damage. (Thank you too to my physio who has always stressed to me the importance of staying fit and doing regular key exercises for reflexes and strength, especially with age...I think that had a lot to do with my good fortune in escaping injury).

At Sydney Hospital ER, I was impressed throughout by the level of detail I recall I was asked for, the way I was kept informed and had my questions answered, obviously what I believe is the high standard of cleanliness and, of course, the levels of checking, treatment and care. I had been very very lucky with my fall. I think in retrospect, my left arm reflex had protected me from considerable damage but I felt so fortunate to have received prompt paramedic care and been able to go straight to what I feel is an excellent emergency department (I think a different hospital couldn't take one more ambulance which was probably fortunate given I was admitted straight away at Sydney) and to have had such an extraordinarily high level of attention and care. Based on my experience, these were busy people who I felt still exhibited the highest standards of professionalism, patience and knowledge, from Domenic the first person to Maurice the last.

Thank you so much. Hugely grateful.