Silvia Ribeiro
December 2023
Silvia
Ribeiro
,
RN
Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery
The London Clinic
London
United Kingdom
The constant in all of this was Silvia. She was the consistent professional who formed the glue that held together all the moving parts of my treatment. She would keep me continually updated with the ever-changing events and, in parallel, chase all the required specialists and procedures.
Unfortunately, over the last 25 years, I have spent too much time in London private hospitals, having operations to fix musculoskeletal problems. This includes the Princess Grace Hospital, multiple stays in the Wellington Hospital and six hip replacement operations in the London Bridge Hospital during the last 4 years. I’m, therefore, reasonably well qualified to pass on a couple of observations. During my month-long stay in the London Clinic (which was supposed to be for only a 5 day stay for a THR revision), I underwent 1 planned hip replacement operation, 1 wash out and 1 unplanned hip replacement operation.
As I entered The London Clinic in July, this was by far the most concerned I have ever been about surgery. No one could give me any confidence in a positive outcome, and the debacle of my right hip over the last four years had left me nervous about the operation and future in general.
On being shown my room on registration my heart sank further, as I saw a bath in the very old-fashioned bathroom. Not ideal for a hip replacement patient. I complained immediately and in hindsight probably not in a cordial manner. Shortly after, the staff nurse in charge of my section came to the room, accepted I had a good point, apologised and assured me I would be moved the next day in a seamless manner, into a more appropriate room. The professionalism and courteous nature calmed me down immediately and set the tone for the following month’s support, where my needs would be far greater than inappropriate ablutions. The name of the staff nurse was Silvia Ribeiro.
After previous multiple surgeries on my right hip, including a two-stage THR revision to treat an infected prosthesis, in addition to four dislocations, the procedure at the London Clinic was not expected to be simple. However, no one was expecting events to turn out as bad as they did. A few days after the initial operation, the wound started leaking profusely. This was the start of a catalog of unfortunate events which would necessitate a myriad of tests, a wash-out surgery, multiple and changing drugs, and a further THR operation, with resulting complex antibiotics, tests, and what seemed like eternal wound issues. After the first few days, it seemed like the following month consisted of a daily stream of bad news in an environment characterised by uncertainty. I am the most positive person I know, but this period challenged my positivity like never before.
The constant in all of this was Silvia. She was the consistent professional who formed the glue that held together all the moving parts of my treatment. She would keep me continually updated with the ever-changing events and, in parallel, chase all the required specialists and procedures. I was even made aware she had been chasing test results on my behalf during her days off. She demonstrated genuinely imaginative thinking towards some of my more complex issues, helping to find solutions where others may have simply ticked the normal boxes to no avail. Silvia rapidly became my go-to person whenever I had any issues, and she never tired of my continual barrage of questions and requests. Furthermore, she often made time to simply talk to me and listen to my concerns, of which there were many. This compassionate side of nursing is so vital in complex and serious cases and yet, too often, seems drastically lacking.
During the last 25 years, where I have spent far too much time in hospitals trying to fix my injuries in order to rejoin the fight, I have always simply attended whatever hospital the particular surgeon stated. For the first time ever, I now have a preference; if I ever have to undergo further treatment on my hip, I will request this treatment take place in the London Clinic. This is down to the quality of the nursing staff there, and specifically Silvia Ribeiro. She is a credit to the hospital and should be highly commended for her work.
As I entered The London Clinic in July, this was by far the most concerned I have ever been about surgery. No one could give me any confidence in a positive outcome, and the debacle of my right hip over the last four years had left me nervous about the operation and future in general.
On being shown my room on registration my heart sank further, as I saw a bath in the very old-fashioned bathroom. Not ideal for a hip replacement patient. I complained immediately and in hindsight probably not in a cordial manner. Shortly after, the staff nurse in charge of my section came to the room, accepted I had a good point, apologised and assured me I would be moved the next day in a seamless manner, into a more appropriate room. The professionalism and courteous nature calmed me down immediately and set the tone for the following month’s support, where my needs would be far greater than inappropriate ablutions. The name of the staff nurse was Silvia Ribeiro.
After previous multiple surgeries on my right hip, including a two-stage THR revision to treat an infected prosthesis, in addition to four dislocations, the procedure at the London Clinic was not expected to be simple. However, no one was expecting events to turn out as bad as they did. A few days after the initial operation, the wound started leaking profusely. This was the start of a catalog of unfortunate events which would necessitate a myriad of tests, a wash-out surgery, multiple and changing drugs, and a further THR operation, with resulting complex antibiotics, tests, and what seemed like eternal wound issues. After the first few days, it seemed like the following month consisted of a daily stream of bad news in an environment characterised by uncertainty. I am the most positive person I know, but this period challenged my positivity like never before.
The constant in all of this was Silvia. She was the consistent professional who formed the glue that held together all the moving parts of my treatment. She would keep me continually updated with the ever-changing events and, in parallel, chase all the required specialists and procedures. I was even made aware she had been chasing test results on my behalf during her days off. She demonstrated genuinely imaginative thinking towards some of my more complex issues, helping to find solutions where others may have simply ticked the normal boxes to no avail. Silvia rapidly became my go-to person whenever I had any issues, and she never tired of my continual barrage of questions and requests. Furthermore, she often made time to simply talk to me and listen to my concerns, of which there were many. This compassionate side of nursing is so vital in complex and serious cases and yet, too often, seems drastically lacking.
During the last 25 years, where I have spent far too much time in hospitals trying to fix my injuries in order to rejoin the fight, I have always simply attended whatever hospital the particular surgeon stated. For the first time ever, I now have a preference; if I ever have to undergo further treatment on my hip, I will request this treatment take place in the London Clinic. This is down to the quality of the nursing staff there, and specifically Silvia Ribeiro. She is a credit to the hospital and should be highly commended for her work.