Thank God for our wonderful NHS staff

ON Monday morning last week, I awoke with painful feelings in my back and chest. I thought this was initially perhaps a bad reaction to the spring coronavirus booster so I tried to contact my doctors’ surgery just in case other patients had reported a similar adverse reaction but without success.

I was repeatedly told “you are caller No. 3” ’and then the line went dead. By this time, the pain was becoming almost unbearable so I decided to call 111.

The person who answered explained that the service was under considerable strain but they would despatch paramedics as soon as possible. The three hours I waited were the most painful and excruciating hours I have had to endure in my life.

As soon as the paramedics arrived they determined that I had had a heart attack and that there was a likelihood of another imminent attack.

The paramedic team was led by Daisy, who immediately started to organise all that was necessary to get me to hospital bearing in mind that we were approaching ‘rush hour’ and that the Royal United Hospital in Bath facility for such cases was due to close at 5pm.

As we drove towards the RUH at speed the pain started to worsen, I kept thinking that this was the end and I had not had the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to all those important and close to me.

Daisy held my hand and was repeatedly telling me that “everything was going to be ok’’.

When we arrived at the RUH, a team was already in place and within seconds all sorts of connecting tubes, drips, etc, were inserted and a cardiologist started to commence a stent procedure, talking me through the progress and suggesting that the pain would be dissipated once the procedure was completed.

Although at this stage morphine had been administered the pain was still excruciating. I opened my eyes to see Daisy still sitting beside me and holding my hand. She said that everything was going to be OK and that she would not leave me until she knew I would be safe.

I sensed in her voice and in her eyes her sincerity and genuine concern. As I turned to thank her she leant across and whispered that she had secured all my valuables in the bottom of my overnight bag.

I am now back home recovering but whilst I feel a little exhausted and bruised after my experience I want to express my undying gratitude to Daisy and her paramedic partner especially, but also to the doctors and staff at the RUH for their professionalism, humanity, care and attention.

Whatever circumstances in which you may find yourself you can be assured you are in safe hands.

Peter Payne

By email