Mr Henry Atkinson 2018-05-28 Person 5 5 0

I have been under the care of Mr Atkinson for almost two years during which I have received exemplary care. I saw Mr Atkinson initially after my knee injury. He discussed the implications of the MRI scan, gave me a diagnosis, discussed options for rehabilitation and repair, and gave clear, accessible advice on how best to help my knee recover functionality. He took time at repeated visits to explain the surgical options and choices available to me, and the likely outcomes from proceeding (or not proceeding) with surgical repair. I felt fully informed, and involved in those discussions, and it was clear that the decision to proceed (and the pace to proceed) was my choice. Following my decision to go ahead with surgery, Mr Atkinson took time to explain the procedure, to be honest about the recovery period, to offer reassurance about progress, and gave clear advice about how best to ensure my knee returns to as optimal function as possible. During my actual stay in hospital, Mr Atkinson was clear and reassuring in describing what would happen prior to surgery, and returned to ensure I was recovering well after my procedure and again the next day. I felt at all time in very experienced, skilled and kind hands. The kindness mattered immensely: that I was not just another procedure, but a person with a knee that stopped me living my life fully, and that he was determined to help improve. Following surgery, he have gave wise counsel about rest, was clear in what sort of exercises would help (and what might not), and helped ensure I got access to appropriate physiotherapy to support my recovery. I am not sure I can think of any way in which my care could have improved. Mr Atkinson was reassuring, wise, supportive of my choices (for example, my dithering about whether to proceed with knee surgery because of home renovations was greeted with sympathy about needing to ensure the timing is right). He made me feel reassured about surgery, and the procedure, and I received all-round excellent care. During my appointments with Mr Atkinson I have always felt listened to, reassured, and part of a joint decision-making process (no pun intended, but I'll take credit for it). Mr Atkinson is clearly a very skilled surgeon, understands how injuries and procedures might affect patients, takes time to articulate things in a way that laypeople can understand, and is kind. I am immensely grateful for the care he gave me in order to help return me to a normal lifestyle. Thank you.