The time immediately after the injury is bound to be full of worry and uncertainty for everyone concerned.

It is very important that you receive as much support and information as possible and you can ask the nurses and consultants any questions that you have. However, they are often very busy and may not have as much time to talk to you as you would like. If you have concerns about this, ask at reception to speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) which is an independent source of advice and support.

You will probably want definite answers in the early stages, which the medical staff often can’t provide. Rest assured that if this is the case, you are not being deliberately kept in the dark. If the injury is very severe then stabilising and managing your loved one’s condition will be the main priority. The long-term difficulties will only become apparent at a later stage, such as when rehabilitation starts, or even when they return home.