Hip surgery a breath of fresh air for keen walker, Gerald
Gerald Goddard, 82, is over the moon with the treatment he’s received from Practice Plus Group’s brand-new hospital in Birmingham. Having had his right hip replaced at the hospital, he’s planning to go back later this year to have his left hip fixed too and says the surgery has been life changing. From not being able to leave the house for his regular walks – or even pop to the shops – for over four months due to hip pain, Gerald feels optimistic about his future after having his hip surgery with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group.
“From being house bound to looking forward to life after surgery and getting back to the hobbies I enjoy is a wonderful feeling…I can’t recommend the team [at Birmingham] enough.”
Gerald Goddard, hip replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham
He says: “I’d been in quite a bit of pain with my hips for some time which was getting in the way of my passion for walking and my general independence. My wife and I love to walk three or four miles a day whatever the weather. When my hips started playing up too much to enjoy our walks together and effectively leaving me house bound with the pain, I went to see my GP to see if I could get something done about them.
“My GP sent me for x-rays which confirmed that one hip was definitely in need of replacing and the other was not much better either. At the time, I’d heard that waiting times for NHS hip surgery in my area was around two years, so I decided to bite the bullet and look at private options. Being stuck in the house for around four months was taking its toll on me mentally, so I was determined to do something as quickly as possible. I didn’t want to wait two years and not be able to enjoy walking and spending time with my daughters and their families. We spend part of our time in Somerset near one of our daughters, but also stay in Rugby in Warwickshire too to share time with our other daughter. However, with my hips being so painful, I really needed to get something done as quickly as possible as it’s a long drive between homes and my hips would get very uncomfortable on the journey.
“From my online searches, I discovered that Practice Plus Group had recently opened a new hospital in Edgbaston, Birmingham, which was an easy distance from our home in Warwickshire. They had a private healthcare service called Wellsoon and I liked their flat fee structure which was very simple to understand and you knew what you were paying from the off. I was also very impressed with the team from day one. After some more research, I weighed up the options between Practice Plus Group and another provider in Birmingham, but when I heard that they had gone bust (after I’d just paid a deposit) it cemented my decision to go with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group as they were so professional, well priced, and all the dealings I had with them on the phone and online were excellent.
“I decided to go with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group as they were so professional, well-priced, and all the dealings I had with them on the phone and online were excellent.”
Gerald Goddard, hip replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham
“I was very impressed when I visited the new hospital. It’s brand new, laid out really well and the staff were fabulous. They have assembled a really first-class team there. From the receptionists to the wonderful food, the hospital gave a really good impression from the first visit. The food would certainly not look out of place in a top restaurant.
“The pricing at Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group is brilliant. I was quoted one price at the start which was a very impressive feature. You know where you stand and there are no add-ons if you need extra appointments. All the tests, surgery and aftercare like physio were included, it’s really terrific.
“I was also very fortunate as my wife used to work for the NHS and holds a ‘Blue Light Card’. We asked if there was any discount for Blue Light Card holders and luckily there was. I received 15% off my bill which was an added bonus.
“Throughout all the appointments and surgery, my consultant has been wonderful. On the day of the surgery, I arrived at 7am and was taken down to theatre soon after. What I didn’t know at the time was that I was I was the first patient to be operated on that day – and in fact the very first patient to be operated on in the new hospital! It went like clockwork and I was treated so well, with kindness and care. Once in theatre, I had a spinal block, which meant I couldn’t feel anything but was awake and aware of what was going on. As I took in the sounds of the theatre, it reminded me of my carpentry workshop which I enjoy using regularly. I kept thinking how clever the operation was – it’s like carpentry of the human body. Taking out the old hip and fixing in the new. I was totally fascinated by the process.
“By noon I was back on the ward and by 2pm that afternoon I was standing up. It was incredible! Finally my hip was no longer in pain and for the first time in a long while I could stand up with no pain in my hip, just a bit of soreness from the surgery.
“The pricing at Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group is brilliant. I was quoted one price at the start which was a very impressive feature. You know where you stand and there are no add-ons if you need extra appointments. All the tests, surgery and aftercare like physio were included, it’s really terrific.“
Gerald Goddard, hip replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham
“Throughout the afternoon I had visits from the whole team who were looking after me – my physio and even the ladies on reception came to see how I was.
“Before I went home the next day, I checked in with my hip consultant to see how quickly I could have my other hip done. He’s confident that I’ll be able to come back in a few months when I’m recovered enough from the first surgery. I can’t recommend the team enough. I just wish I’d done something sooner. I’m recovering well and have started seeing the physio and have had all the surgical clips removed. It couldn’t have gone better. I’m looking forward to getting back to walking again with my wife and feel I have a new sense of optimism after surgery. From being house bound to looking forward to life after surgery and getting back to the hobbies I enjoy is a wonderful feeling.”
