"She took up the reins immediately"

I was born with a heart defect called a bicuspid valve. For over 60 years it behaved itself until I felt chest pains, clammy and sweating upon returning to Edinburgh from a holiday in Spain. I walked into the local GP surgery and 10 minutes later I was in an ambulance to the nearest hospital. Fast forward 6 months, and I had valve replacement surgery at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.

My discharge introduced me to my NHS Fife Cardiac Nurse Julie. What a superstar. She took up the reins immediately and organised regular consultations, blood tests and medication which had been absent after leaving hospital.

Now, 12 weeks later, I'm looking forward to a good few years yet, free of pain and the anxiety of the unknown. Julie displayed an empathy, compassion and care that made my post-operation so much more stress-free at a scary time of my life. I could not have hoped for a kinder, better companion to share my journey.

Thanks Julie, you're a star!