"My husband's wonderful care when he had a massive heart attack"

In May my husband experienced the classic symptoms of heart attack. That was 7pm - rang 999, the operator was calm and helped me to give him an aspirin. By 7.10pm the ambulance team arrived and they were so considerate and reassuring to my husband, self and daughter. They helped calm nerves by talking to him of subjects he was familiar with.

He was taken straight into A&E at Kirkcaldy Vic, and they persevered to find the cause as there was no trace on ECG. At 2.15am they discovered by blood test a silent heart attack, and he was moved to the ward to stabilize him.

On the Friday he was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where his care was exemplary - but also the humanity of each and every member of the large cardiac team. Although I cannot remember names, they were all so thoughtful, as well as professional, to my husband and our family. It was never any trouble to them to speak to us and tell us how he was doing, and we could visit at any time (except meal times, of course.)

The tests were many, and he was kept in and had a quadruple bypass and heart valve repair. One hears terrible stories about delays and waiting in the news, but we were blessed to have such wonderful care for him. In IC, then HDU, where his treatment for delirium was quick, effective and showed such humanity. Back to the ward, we were encouraged to take him walks, given advice going forward as a family.

After discharge, he was in the care of the Community Cardiac Nurse Ann  (which care had been arranged just days after his heart attack) who was also full of good sense, humanity. and humour. He is now going to start the Cardiac Rehab programme and is recovering well.

There is a large team of surgeons at the RIE, and they are of world renown, and when your life is in their hands that is wonderful to know. But I particularly want to emphasise the teamwork of NHS staff, the different individuals and hospitals, the ambulance crew, the A&E, ward and surgical departments, the Cardiac nurses and rehab, right to the 999 response lady - they all seemed to work together for one goal - to save my husband's life, and give him a future. They know who they are, even if I cannot name them individually, and I can only say, God Bless Them!