"My experience of cardiac care in Glasgow"

I travel a lot with work and arrived home after a week away during which I had been feeling unwell with a persistent cough and intermittent chest and back pain and hot flushing.

After contacting NHS 24 I went to the out of hours clinic where the primary concern seemed to be whether I had Covid. They told me to book a test but also to phone again if my condition worsened. The next day I drove to Glasgow airport and was tested with a negative result returned within 24 hrs. By Monday morning I was feeling very unwell so called NHS 24 again and they immediately organised a paramedic visit.

The paramedics were friendly, efficient and very professional and quickly identified that I needed hospitalization. I was taken to A& E at Glasgow Royal and was given a very thorough and detailed examination. Particularly impressive was the cooperation and support between the different disciplines such as the cardiac specialist taking time to show the A& E consultant how to better interpret a cardiac ultrasound to identify my particular issue which was a build up of fluid on the heart and lungs.

I was transferred first to the Cardiac high dependency ward 44A then after a day or so into the general cardiac ward 43A. I was seen by a team of Dr's over the course of my stay but each seemed very aware of my ongoing treatment and care was consistent and effective.

I was lucky in that I remained able to attend to my own basic care needs throughout my stay but the nurses were always attentive and compassionate particularly with other patients who needed more hands on care and had additional needs.

The physiologist were extremely professional in carrying out the numerous test that I was subject to and were happy to explain the images on the screen and the purpose of what they were doing and gave me reassurance that the fluid around my heart was gradually dissipating. My appetite was reduced and my sense of taste was affected so I am not best placed to pass judgement on the food other than to say that some meals, particularly mince and potatoes, were better than others. The sandwiches in particular, I felt, could have had a more interesting fillings and were quite dry. On the plus side the meals were always delivered efficiently by the auxiliary staff with a smile. These same staff also worked tirelessly each day to ensure the ward was maintained in a clean and orderly condition.