Dr Francesca Rubulotta

Written by a patient at Imperial College Health Centre

This doctor was the anaesthetist for my right primary hip operation Sept 2015. I was feeling quite nervous before the op. as their had not been much (any!) communication from the operating surgeon Alister Hart regarding a CT, MRI scans and a physiotherapist report following my right hip revision op in 2014. She appeared quite excitable and over friendly which did not give me confidence, very different to the calm manner of the anaesthetist for the 2014 op. She advised me that I could have any anaes. I wanted as I was healthy. I advised her I wished to be sedated but remain conscious. I did not get this, indeed, I became so stressed that I blanked the last minutes before the op. out of my mind. I did not sign any anaesthetist form of consent for this op. and the next I knew was when I woke up the next morning, very shocked and wondering what had happened as I clearly remember the last comment that was made to me by the surgeon. Apparently there was a later dialogue between myself and the anaesthetist, which I do not recall at all. The surgeon also took her out of the room at one stage to have a discussion with her. I feel that I was not looked after very well, at a time I was feeling very vulnerable. My fears were fully justified as the surgeon left me with a significant leg length differential. I hope this doctor reads this and learns that her personality should be much calmer, ensure that a form of consent is signed and her patients do not have any concerns prior to starting the op.

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