"Impressions of a Cardiology Department"

Having recently been discharged from the cardiology department of a nearby hospital only a few days earlier, the pains in my chest occurred yet again and knowing the symptoms well enough by now, elected to be taken to King's Mill.

Fast-tracked through what appeared to be a calm and well ordered A&E section to an assessment ward where I was seen by a cardiologist within a couple of hours.

We discussed my history and symptoms which by contrast were taken very seriously indeed and I was offered pain relief - something ignored by the other hospital.

Fitted with a heart monitor, various examinations were conducted to get to the cause of the problem and an agiogram was suggested. A bed in cardiology became free so after two days, I moved to there and the angiogram was booked for the next day although deferred as a more needy case used up the slot.

Next day, in the lab I underwent this procedure and within half an hour, was advised that a stent would be needed and was I in agreement.

From that question being asked, only some 12 minutes elapsed before I was wheeled out of the angiogram lab to recovery.

The treatment I received could not in any way be criticized and when added to the care in the ward can only be described as a stark contrast to the previous facility where I found myself just a week before.

Further, some years ago, I underwent the same procedure at my own considerable expense and even so, the care and level of clinical expertise was still not up to the standards demonstrated by today's staff and clinicians of King's Mill Hospital.

My impression of the entire hospital on first entering was of a calm and reassuring environment where the emphasis is on listening to and giving priority to the needs of the patient.