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Heart Surgery and Aftercare

Posted By Bad golfer

"Heart Surgery and Aftercare"

About: Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France / Cardiology & Coronary Care Unit

(as a service user),

I developed a severe leak in my mitral valve which required repair, and I also have atrial fibrillation. The wait for treatment was quite long. The pre-op went well but there was another delay before the op. I appreciate there is a waiting list and emergencies taking priority, but I feel that the timescales I were given at various stages were over optimistic. One tends to put life on hold during waiting periods and this was longer than it needed to be.

That said the treatment I received and the professionalism of the various hospital staff and cardiac aftercare could hardly have been better. I am still receiving treatment for atrial fibrillation but overall I am feeling better, although there is still a little way to go. 

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Responses

Response from Crystal Arnott, Complaints Administration Support, Cardiac, Thoracic & Respiratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh 4 days ago
Crystal Arnott
Complaints Administration Support, Cardiac, Thoracic & Respiratory Medicine,
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Submitted on 28/11/2025 at 11:00
Published on Care Opinion at 11:03

Dear Bad golfer,

Thank you to taking the time to share your experience. I am delighted to hear you have had your surgery and you are recovering well. It is wonderful to read your feedback on your treatment and after care.

I am sorry to hear that you were affected by delays. Unfortunately, the waiting times are longer than what the Service would wish, and whilst the Team do try to give the most accurate waiting time they can, this is an approximate. As you have mentioned, emergency cases and also bed availability within the hospital does impact on those waiting times and I can appreciate the worry and frustration this would cause you at such a difficult time. Your feedback has been shared with the Teams, and once again I thank you for sharing your experience. I wish you well in your continuing recovery and treatment.

Kind regards,

Crystal

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