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Following a total knee replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “Thank you for your kindness.”
G.M.
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Following total hip replacements:
A patient’s letter to
Mr. Blake: “I have recently been through two total
hip replacement operations. I cannot speak too
highly of the surgeon, Mr. Stephen Blake, who
operated on me at Mount Stuart Hospital, Torquay.
His general manner, enthusiasm and attention to
detail gives you complete confidence from day one.
He explains the reasons and need for an operation,
if required and gives alternatives if necessary.
Post operation he is most attentive and visited me
each day during my hospital stay. This was most
reassuring. He has a nice sense of humour and
obviously enjoys his work, which is refreshing. He
is totally approachable and meticulous in the follow
up examinations. I thoroughly recommend Mr. Blake as
a top orthopaedic surgeon.” J.K.
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Following a knee arthroscopy:
A patients letter:
“It’s nearly 10 months since my operation and so far
I’ve run the British 10km race, the Ladies 10km
race, the Torbay 10km race, the Bristol half
marathon, a 1km sea swim as well as work regularly.
I always appreciate your successful operation on my
knee. Many thanks for your dedication.” N.M.
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Following a complex knee injury:
A patient’s letter to
the hospital’s chief executive. “Some 2 weeks after
being skittled by my dog I was on the receiving end
of treatment at Torbay Hospital for 6 months and my
grateful thanks to all involved in my care are huge
and unreserved. … The day before my operation Mr.
Steve Blake (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon)
assessed me – explaining meticulously what the
operation entailed involving a permanent plate and
screws, post-operative recovery etc. This was in the
early evening a he had just finished an eight hour
long operation! … Endless thanks are due to Mr.
Blake for his skill: I am now having a problem
locating the scar which is on a disappearing
course!” M.B.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s letter to
Mr. Blake: “Just a personal letter to say thank you
for all the care and attention you have given me in
connection with my total hip replacement. My
mobility and absence of pain has vastly improved and
indeed did so almost immediately. So far (touch
wood) the results are exceptional. I am one of those
people who believe that there is no such thing as
equality in the workplace. It doesn’t matter whether
you are a commercial surveyor like me , a solicitor,
a baker or a surgeon like you, some people are
better than others at what they do. Clearly if my
experience is anything to go by, you are one of the
best and I was lucky to have you as my surgeon.” K.M.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s letter to
Mr. Blake: ‘It’s the 1st of December and as promised
I am wearing my high heels. The extent of my
motivation improves every week. I’m not doing the
splits yet! Thank you for my new hip and all the
best for Christmas and the New Year.” D.H.
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Following a tibial plateau fracture fixation:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “Still searching for the words
yet will never find them in any book. Your skill and
kindness ever treasured.” M.B.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A patient’s letter to
Mr. Blake: “ Thank you for your skill, your care and
your kindness.” D.C.
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Following total knee replacements:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “Thank you so very much for using
your god given skills and talents to heal my knees.
I will look forward to being more active with my
grand children when we go to South Africa in
November for a holiday. May god continue to bless
you.” M.M.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “Thank you so much for your
wonderful care.” C.W.
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Following a complex revision total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you
letter to Mr. Blake: “I am so pleased to inform you
that I have made an excellent recovery from my
extremely long and complex hip revision surgery that
you performed on my right hip in March 2011. I am
writing to thank you for your skill and expertise in
putting me back on my feet and also for your
kindness and care which was very much appreciated.
You explained very explicitly to my husband and
myself the significant problems regarding my hip
which had been resurfaced in 2002and I took your
advice to have the operation done immediately which
you arranged. My treatment in Mount Stuart Hospital
could not have been better and I am very grateful
for all the care and attention I received whilst I
was an inpatient. Please pass my thanks on to the
nursing staff, theatre staff and anaesthetist. We
are lucky to have such a skilled surgeon here in the
bay.” S.B.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “ Thank you for a job well done!”
B.W.
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Following a revision total hip replacement:
A patient’s family’s
thank you letter to Mr.. Blake: “Just a small thank
you for all that you have done for B.H. Lets hope
this has given her her life back and that she will
be running around again soon.” B.H’s. family.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A patient’s post card
to Mr. Blake: “Thanks to you my knee is working
fine. We are enjoying a month here in the Princess
Hotel. Lots of warm sunshine after a very cold
December.” R.W.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “Thank you to Mr. Blake and his
team and all the people who were so lovely and
looked after me so well at Mount Stuart Hospital.”
V.T.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s letter to
Mr. Blake: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart
for the kindness you have shown me during my short
stay with you.” M.W.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “To Mr. Blake and all the staff
on Manor ward, for your care and skills I thank God
for each one of you.” W.F.
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Following fixation of a complex femoral non-union:
A patient’s thank you
card and letter to Mr. Blake: “Please accept my
sincere thanks for the faith you have given to me
and for the treatment which appears to be
successful. With many good wishes for the future. I
am so grateful for the care and understanding given
to me over the last year or more. It is such a
relief to lose the constant pain I was
experiencing.” B.K.
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Following a knee arthroscopy:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “ Thank you so much for sorting
out my knee. Sound advice and brilliant execution
with such wonderful patience especially for a
difficult old beggar like me. I really am so
grateful. Thanks.” J.H.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A thank you card to
Mr. Blake: “I wish to say thank you for all that you
have done for me.” I.B.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A thank you card to
Mr. Blake: “Thank you very much for the care and
attention I have received.” S.G.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A thank you card to
Mr. Blake: “A very big thank you to show my
appreciation to you, especially, and all your
wonderful staff for the calm, efficiency and
professional atmosphere. I’ll be eternally grateful
to you.”
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Following a complex total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “I would like to thank you and
your colleagues for the wonderful medical attention
I have received over the last 12 months. The hip
replacement you did 5 weeks ago appears to be a
complete success. The treatment I received from
everyone at Torbay Hospital could not have been
better.” S.C.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you
for your expertise, consideration and kindness.”
J.B.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “Thank you so much. I call you my
‘guardian angels’, I used to think angels were in
heaven, I now know the work at Mount Stuart too.”
E.G.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “A note to thank you for your
thoughtfulness and to let you know it really means a
lot. Many thanks for a great job.” J.C.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you
card to Mr. Blake: “Thank you for all your amazing
surgery that has given me back the use and mobility
of my right hip. You have given me back my height,
comfort and posture too. Please, please will you
consider being my surgeon for my left hip next
time?” A.R.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “I wish to
say thank you for all that you have done for me.”
I.B.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “Just a
little something to say thanks for all that you did.
It’s great to feel good again, the pain has gone and
I’m able to go to bed and sleep. I don’t want to get
up now. It feels great to go to work again too.” I.D.
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Following a hip injury:
A patient’s
thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you so much for
looking after me last week. You really did make me
feel special and totally cared for. I really
appreciate the time that you put aside for me at
such short notice.” M.H.
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Following treatment of a complex non-union of a
femoral fracture:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you
for your assurance for this operation and how it
will help me. It has been a very long road to get
here, to this point in time and if my sense of
independence comes back, I will be forever grateful
to you Mr. Blake.” B.K.
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Following a revision total hip replacement:
A patient’s letter to a regional newspaper: “My wife
has just had a large operation at Torbay Hospital
and we would like to thank the specialist, Mr Blake,
and his team or a successful operation. We would
also like to thank the Ella Rowcroft ward nurses,
doctors and all the staff for their excellent
aftercare and the cleanliness of the ward was ten
out of ten.”
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Following treatment of a complex lower limb injury:
A patient’s letter to Mr Blake: “In case I do not
see you personally at the fracture clinic I wish to
express my gratitude for the excellent skill and
care you brought to piecing together the bits of my
femur, following my crash landing. I continue to be
amazed at the freedom of pain, and I’m sure I shall
be fully mobile within the three month period. My
very sincere thanks.” J.S.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you
for a job well done!” B.W.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you
very much for doing my hip operation. I Really do
appreciate it.” J.M.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you letter to Mr Blake: “The new
hip is settling down really well. Many thanks. I was
hoping to send you a print of my latest painting.
Unfortunately the photo I took of it was no good to
get reproduced. I will probably go to the National
Trust Gallery and take another one when I am driving
and will then send you one. Enclosed are two of my
limited edition earlier ones. When framed they look
good. Please accept them as a very small token of my
appreciation of what you did for me.” B.B.
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Following a knee arthroscopy:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “I would
like to take this opportunity to thank you and your
team for the excellent treatment I received while
undergoing key-hole knee surgery. As far as was
possible this was a pleasant experience and I felt
very well cared for. I hope, should I need further
treatment, that I will be fortunate to be referred
to you! Thank you all again.” J.V.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A patient’s thank you letter to Mr Blake: “A short
note because I feel I didn’t thank you adequately
yesterday. You gave me the confidence to have the
operation and all my exercising would have been to
no avail without your skill! The nurses at Mount
Stuart Hospital said they rarely have any problems
with your patients so I expect to do well. I am
pleased that when the time comes you are willing to
replace the other knee. Not for a while I hope! With
grateful thanks.“ V.H.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you
for my new hip and the care I received.” J.W.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “I and my
family wish to take this opportunity of thanking you
for the excellent professional care you and the
staff at Mount Stuart Hospital gave me during my
recent replacement hip operation. The team support
shown by all staff was greatly appreciated.” B.P.
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Following a complex revision total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “I want to
thank you for your care and honesty during my
treatment over the last year. You have helped me
through a difficult time with understanding.” J.W.
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Following treatment of a forearm fracture:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “This comes
to you in gratitude for your thoughtful, caring
attitude. Thanks a million.” A.C.
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Following a child's tibial fracture:
A parent’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “I am writing
to say thank you to you and your staff for the
assistance you gave my son whilst he was admitted to
the hospital. Both I and my wife felt that the
service everyone gave was first class. He is back at
school and running around like a mad thing.” I.J.
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Following a knee arthroscopy:
A patient’s thank you letter to Mr Blake: “About
three months ago you operated on my knee by keyhole
surgery. I am pleased to tell you that I am
recovering well and am now able to walk without the
aid of a stick or crutches. I am now writing to
thank you for your kindness and care which was very
much appreciated and also for the trouble you took
in writing to my general practitioner.” A.M.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A relative’s thank you letter to Mr Blake: “I would
like to take the opportunity to personally thank all
the staff involved in the care of my grandfather who
had a knee replacement at your hospital. From what I
hear from my grandmother and grandfather himself is
that your level of care has been outstanding and
they have both spoken very highly of the service
which you have provided. I myself am a healthcare
professional working in Greater London and regularly
come into contact with patients and colleagues alike
who have unfortunately witnessed second rate care in
the health profession and was therefore
understandably concerned for my grandfather going in
for major surgery when I could not be there to check
that he was alright and that the standard of care
that he was receiving was no less than he, or in
fact any other patient in his position deserved.
However, your hospital has been absolutely
outstanding and really put my mind at rest. I have
been able to speak to my grandfather every night
that he has been in hospital and he has told me of
all the care which he has been receiving and more
importantly that he has understood everything that
has been said to him throughout his stay. This I
feel is a very important matter to congratulate your
staff on as I frequently see many patients who have
no idea about their health as their GP has explained
things in complex medical jargon which has left them
confused and often distressed. He has also remarked
that his room is wonderful and that all your staff
can never do enough for him. I understand that due
to the glowing reports that my grandfather and
family have given me about your hospital that you
probably receive many of these letters thanking you
and congratulating you on your standard of care but
I would greatly appreciate it if you could thank
each member of staff involved in my grandfathers
care for me, particularly the surgeon who I
understand has done a fabulous job. My grandfather
is incredibly important to me and to know that you
have cared for him so well has made me incredibly
happy and thankful for the work that you have done.”
K.S.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you
for all that you have done.” I.T.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A
patient's letter to a regional newspaper: "I would
like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you
to my consultant Mr S Blake regarding my recent hip
replacement operation on the NHS at Mount Stuart
Hospital. Your care and attention to detail was of
the highest standard." E.L.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A
patient’s thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you so
much for my new hip. As a Christian I really believe
God put me in your hands. I am so grateful and to
have the op in Mount Stuart was an added blessing. I
walked a mile and a half this morning!! It was
wonderful! Please also thank the anaesthetist – he
was amazing and of course all the staff.” K.B.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A
patient’s letter to Mr Blake: “To you and to all
your associates and collaborators, my thanks for the
professionalism and the magic which has returned the
active quality to my lifestyle!” A.H.
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Following a severe foot injury:
A patient’s letter to
Mr Blake: “Thank you once again from my wife and I,
for the confidence you gave me and the skill and
expertise you showed and administered in the
operation to save my foot.”
The same patient’s
letter which was published in a regional newspaper:
“I recently spent six days in Ainslie Ward at Torbay
Hospital having badly shattered my foot. The
paramedic team and ambulance staff attending me,
were first class. The X-Ray and CT Scan staff
ensured I was seen and promptly made ready for
surgery. I would also like to put on record that the
surgeon, theatre attendees, the ward staff of
Ainslie and also the catering staff and cleaning
staff could not have been more caring and reassuring
under extreme pressure. During my time in the ward,
which I believe, is classed as a Trauma Ward, I saw
dignity upheld and devotion in the care given to
elderly patients.
Throughout my six day stay standards did not drop
once. We folk in the Bay and surrounding areas are
fortunate that at a time of recession, together with
an obvious shortfall in funding and pay awards,
receive such dedicated service from these men and
women.” A.L.
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Following
a hip replacement:
A
thank you card to Mr Blake: “Just a small token to
show my appreciation of not only the excellent care
I received but many thanks for the rapidity of my
operation. I must say I was very impressed with Ella
Rowcroft Ward and all the staff involved. The NHS
receives many criticisms but I could not fault the
excellent treatment I received.” A.S.
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Following a complex fracture:
A patients letter to a regional newspaper: “Thank
you all. I was recently a patient for 10 days in
Torbay Hospital following an accident when I broke
my leg. I wish to thank all concerned in my
excellent care including the ambulance men, also
staff in the A&E and X-ray departments. My stay on
Ainsley and Ella Rowcroft Wards was made as
comfortable as possible by the cheerful, competent
nursing and housekeeping staff. I also thank the
theatre staff and surgeon, Mr Steve Blake, for doing
a difficult repair job. Many thanks to friends who
have sent numerous gifts, cards and get well
wishes.” S.D.
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Following knee replacements:
A thank you card to Mr Blake: “Thank you for your
expertise and skill in replacing both my knees and
giving me back my quality of life. P.S. I’m not
quite ready for water skiing yet!” B.M.
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Following a hip replacement:
A thank you card to Mr Blake: “Just a little token
of my appreciation for everything you have done for
me. Thank you so much! Enjoy the chocolates.” R.O.
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Following knee replacements:
A thank you card to Mr Blake: “All the family would
like to thank you for the operations and aftercare
by you and your team given to my husband recently.”
J.K.
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Following a total hip replacement:
A
patient’s thank you letter to Mr Blake: "Thank you
Mr Blake for your skill in performing my hip
replacement operation. I am completely free of pain
- indeed my life has been transformed!! Your
kindness and encouragement have been much
appreciated." C.B. |
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Following a total hip replacement:
A
patient’s letter to Mr Blake: “I would like to
express a heartfelt thanks to you for the successful
operation and also for your adherence to my special
request... You all deserve appreciation for the way
in which you make a stay in hospital as comfortable
and reassuring as possible.” P.L.
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Following a total knee replacement:
A
thank you card to Mr Blake: “I wish to express my
thanks and gratitude to you for all your knowledge
and expertise, and your caring team. My husband will
have a much better quality of life.” S.M.
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Following a total hip
replacement:
A
patients letter to Mr Blake’s secretary: “Would you
be kind enough to convey my grateful thanks to Mr
Blake and the team for doing such a wonderful job on
my hip. Everyone from day one to my discharge was so
helpful and informative, which really put me at
ease. I am now at home and making good progress, due
I am sure to the wonderful care received by you and
all the staff. Wishing all of you the very best for
the future. From one very grateful patient.” M.T.
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Following a total hip
replacement:
A
patient’s letter to Mr Blake: “Thank you very much
for the pictures of my hip, pre-op and post-op. They
are very clear and show extremely well the results
of your excellent surgery. My hip is
fantastically better than it was, and the care and
attention from all hospital staff, even the cleaning
staff, is very much appreciated. When you popped
into the ward to see me post op, the patient in the
bed next to mine, told me that he too was very
impressed with the way you spoke to me.” B.L.
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Following a total hip
replacement:
A
patient’s Christmas card to Mr Blake: “Thank you for
taking the pain away after my hip operation.” H.W.
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Following a total knee
replacement:
A
patients letter to Mr Blake: “Thank you so much for
all that you have done for me Mr Blake… Before my
surgery on my right knee, my right leg was becoming
quite bowed in shape, but now my leg is straight,
also I had pain before my operation, that has gone
too The x-ray of my new knee was amazing!! I
am making good progress.” I.B.
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Following a total knee
replacement:
A
patients letter to Mr Blake: “With heart felt thanks
to you and your wonderful team. I found them all so,
so sweet, caring and kind. I was very nervous but
they all put me at ease. I have never had real
surgery before. I think you are the most brilliant
surgeon, you can hardly see the stitches. Someone at
my church said my new knee is the best she has seen
so far. She has seen many, she is a retired matron.
She thought your work is brilliant. God bless you
all.” B.C.
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Following a knee arthroscopy:
A
patient’s Christmas card to Mr Blake: “Just to say
thank you so much for removing the ulcer in my knee
and improving my life tenfold! My knee hasn’t
swollen at all and I can ride my horse again with no
problems. Thank you for taking the time and
interest, and solving the problem.” L.B.
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Following a finger injury:
A
patient’s letter to Mr Blake: “I’m writing to thank
you, your surgical team and the nursing staff for
the care and diligence with which I was treated
during my stay. I was really impressed by the
professional and speedy way everyone went about
their jobs, but most importantly by the cheerful
demeanour and sense of fun exhibited by all the
staff with whom I came into contact. The blow of
loosing part of my finger was certainly softened by
the staff and their dedication to keeping patients
spirits high, for this I am truly grateful. Please
pass on my thanks when the chance arises. Many
thanks once again.” T.C.
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Following a femur (thigh bone)
fracture:
A
parent’s letter to Mr Blake: “ X is our son who is a
resident at a care home for handicapped people. He
broke his leg in a fall… He was well looked after –
surgically, medically, nursing. This letter is to
thank all concerned for the attention he received –
he is unable to articulate.” R.P
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Following multiple fractures
after a severe car accident:
A
grand daughters letter to Mr Blake: “I just wanted
to write and thank you for the care that you gave my
grandmother after her road traffic accident. We do
appreciate so much all that you did for her, and for
visiting us on the ward the next day after she took
a turn for the worse. Thank you too for explaining
to me on the phone the night before, so kindly all
that you were doing for her. It means a great deal
to know that she received such excellent and caring
medical treatment in the last days of her life – we
will always be grateful for that.” J.S.
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Following a humerus (upper arm
bone) fracture:
A
patient’s letter to Mr Blake: “I am unable to make
my appointment for family reasons so I thought a
letter of thanks to you personally would be
appropriate. … Please know that I will always be
profoundly grateful to you in particular and to
everyone else who have helped me through this
difficult episode and I would like to wish you the
very best in your future career wherever it may take
you. Once again many thanks.” W.S.
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Following a neck of femur (hip)
fracture:
A patient’s card to Mr Blake: “Just a
card to say a big thank you to everyone who
participated in repairing my fractured femur on
Sunday… I feel doubly grateful for the efficient
service which I received… I feel that special
service was awarded to me. Truly a Harrods service
in a Tesco store!!” J.C. |
