"Excellent life saving inter disciplinary care"

I was being treated over the longer term for a congenital bicuspid malformation of the Aortic valve.

It should have been a straight forward uncomplicated surgical valve replacement, but instead became a challenging, life threatening situation, no one could have foreseen.

I had an echocardiogram, cardiac catheterisation and an angiogram to help the medical team assess their surgical approach and as there was severe aortic stenosis, with some breathlessness, it looked like a straightforward uncomplicated operation that would be completed within the target period of 13 weeks.

No great perceived risk was found and other urgent cases would continue to be prioritised.

The need to remove a few teeth which were a source of potential infection slightly delayed the surgery, but thanks to my dental practice giving me priority to keep the target surgery date from an overrun, all progressed smoothly as an encouraging multidisciplinary effort.

Then whilst awaiting a date for admission to the Golden Jubilee I experienced a strange pressure in my upper left chest, with a rippling sensation, ordinarily I would have ignored this, but contacted 111 NHS Scotland for advice as a precaution.

They asked me to present immediately at Crosshouse A&E where after investigation they found significantly raised troponin levels and diagnosed angina caused not by my arteries which had shown to be clear, but by the rapidly failing aortic valve and lower heart.

Fortuitously the Crosshouse Cardiologist had a range of new data from bloods and echocardiogram which were available for review by the Golden Jubilee.

I called the cardiac coordinator after the weekend and found that Mr Doshi my surgeon, had already booked me in that week as he was aware I had been in A&E. 

The tremendous interdisciplinary coordination between Ayr Hospital, Stevenston Cross Dental Practice , 111 NHS Scotland , Crosshouse Hospital A&E and the National Centre of Excellence at the Golden Jubilee, meant that I didn’t wait the proposed further 2 weeks for surgery and was operated on as an emergency. 

I want to thank the Consultant Cardiologist at Crosshouse Hospital, who pulled out all the stops to speed up my admission to the National Hospital and to Mr Doshi, the skilled surgeon whose knowledge and detailed planning enabled a potential disaster to become a triumph for me. And to all of the ICU and nursing colleagues, whose care was exemplary, prior to, during and post surgery I express my thanks, as their dedication, commitment and patient encouragement led to me recovering well and quickly.

The NHS may never be able to meet everyone’s needs as they might wish, but it’s good to know that they will prioritise care whenever it’s necessary.

Thanks to our wonderful NHS and the people who have chosen to dedicate their lives to study and practise, in the interests of their fellow citizens. These staff are the best in the business and no matter what surprises come their way, they find a solution that keeps the patient outcome as good as it can be.

It is my opinion that the years and years of selfless dedication to study by a whole host of professionals within the NHS is not for personal remuneration, but to do whatever it takes , for a “patient” to be well again and continue toward good health through a patient - professional partnership.

Thank you NHS.