"Having bestowed on me the gift ..."

What I liked

Having bestowed on me the gift of life, largely due to the obvious skills and team work across the board which I received as a cardiothoracic patient at Tommy's.

Following diagnosis at Medway Maritime Hospital of blocked coronary arteries I was placed on a waiting list for a cabgx3 operation at St Thomas' Hospital. As I also have Chronic Renal Failure it was intended to delay any heart surgery until this condition had been investigated and improved to minimise post-operative complications.

About four weeks later I suffered a cardiac arrest 'in the street', but received CPR from quick thinking passers-by. After emergecy treatment and stabilisation at Medway Maritime, I was transferred to St Thomas' and underwent an emergency triple by-pass operation. As anticipated, my CRF condition caused complications, but with the combination of expert surgery and very dedicated nursing I made a total recovery.

The dedication went right the way across the system even to include the Release Department where the Nurse-in-Charge insisted on staying with me until I was safely in the car which was to take me home although it was way beyond the end of her long working day.

What could be improved

It is long overdue that an arrangement be made with Boris Johnston to eliminate the congestion charge for genuine visitors to the London Hospitals within the London Congestion Zone. Patients who independently arrange travel arrangements via friends or relatives relieve the Ambulance Patient Transfer Service of a large burden. St Thomas' Hospital recognise this by not imposing a parking fee for drivers picking up patients from the Release Department, but the Mayor of London still insists on his iniquitous £8 charge..