This is an account of a straightforward case of hip replacement in a healthy, elderly patient. I was the patient and I know the extent of my confidence in the satisfactory outcome of the procedure.

For the word go I was well sedated and therefore can be excused for perhaps erroneous thinking. The only people who spoke to me were the occupational therapist, and my wife during her brief daily visits.

When the course of events strayed from the norm, it was merely accepted by the nursing carers. All decision making was the prerogative of the consultant who is responsible for the patient at all times unless he has appointed a similarly qualified stand in. No-one would be so bold as to query a consultant, he always knows best. It is my belief that this practice is what is wrong with the NHS.