My life was saved by Wales’ hospital staff
I READ with some concern a recent letter in the Western Mail with observations about the waiting time for a hernia operation at Morriston Hospital, and feel that it is only fair to present a contrasting view in the light of my own experience.
On March 23 I was suddenly taken ill at my home in Bridgend and my wife drove me to the Princess of Wales hospital A&E department.
Within a minute of arrival I was diagnosed with a heart attack, my condition was stabilised by a very efficient cardiac team and an ambulance had been arranged for immediate transfer to Morriston.
The ambulance staff were superb in the way they constantly monitored my condition and relayed information to the receiving team, ensuring, too, that my wife was present on the journey. The response of the cardiac team at Morriston was equally swift and professional, as they expertly took over and went through the necessary procedure of fitting two stents in a coronary artery via my right arm, talking me through the process the whole time – explaining, encouraging and cajoling to disperse my anxiety and pain, finally demonstrating precisely what they’d done by means of incredible “before” and “after” screen shots from angiogram images.
The whole thing was, frankly, miraculous, and I owe my life to the prompt and expert action of Dr Raybould and his team.
The next day our children arrived. Two are doctors in English health trusts and had their questions patiently answered by staff in Swansea. They told me afterwards that I’d received the very best treatment and medication available anywhere and would be proud to relay that information regarding the Welsh NHS to their own colleagues.
The excellence didn’t finish there, however – for the next few days I was back in the cardiac ward of the Princess of Wales, benefiting from the best attentions of dedicated consultants, doctors, nurses and a
wonderful team of specialist cardiac nurses who had not only already arranged a cardiac rehabilitation course but have kept in contact regarding my progress by regular phone calls ever since my discharge from hospital.
Borrowing the imagery used by your previous correspondent, I have to say that I can now look in the mirror and see the relieved face of an old man who, had it not been for the prompt and expert care of our two local Welsh NHS hospitals, would most certainly not be here today.
Diolch o’r galon i bob un ohonoch chi yn ysbytai Treforus a Phen-ybont! Ian Davies Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr/Bridgend