Fantastic treatment from wonderful NHS
FOR the first time in my life I was taken to hospital in an ambulance.
I woke up at 3am with a high level of pain in my chest, that did not seem to go away, it was like someone gripping my inside and not letting go.
I contacted 111, who were really helpful and empathetic; advised on process and procedure, asked a few questions and said they were sending an ambulance for me. In minutes, an ambulance arrived with three paramedics conducting and examining me, with copious tests, and they confirmed they wanted to take me into hospital.
In the ambulance, they repeated the tests and I arrived at RBH where I was taken immediately to A&E, where nurses took blood, wired me up to monitoring machines, checked on me every few minutes until a doctor arrived.
He gave me a thorough examination, retested the bloods, took x-rays and further scans, Covid tests, repeated again ECG and blood pressure.
Apart from elevated blood pressure (which you might expect), nothing could be found. All NHS staff were very professional, courteous and helpful, explaining every step. I felt safe and valued.
I was discharged at 6.30am and got the bus back to Newbury in time for breakfast with my wife, who had slept through it all.
You only realise how helpful and supportive these folks are when you need them, and at some time we all do.
They are worth more than just clapping (which I did).
Surely, if government cannot afford more than one per cent (and I know they have many challenges), then a one-off tax free payment would be the answer.
Thank you 111, paramedics and all doctors, nurses and clinicians in Newbury at Royal Berks and everywhere.
COLIN S POWELL
Newbury