Thank you all for your contributions.

Unfortunately Tim, when your 86 year old mother is in agony for 31 hours, you feel very justified in making a 'hugh fuss'. At that time you are not interested in statistics. We are only human and see the situation from a very personal point of view. We are not interested in efficient management, all we want is a doctor and a nurse who can help. When you go into Tesco's you get produce and a person on the check-out, not empty shelves a manager telling you how wonderful his store is.

Latest update - the hip has 'popped' again. But we have no information as to what they are going to do next. We have to 'wait for the doctors to decide'. Not another 31 hours we hope!