"Day in Cath lab"

I was in Hairmyres Cath Lab to have my ICD changed over after 9 years of having it implanted there also .

4 of us in the small ward waiting to have our procedures. All the nurses were fantastic, always asking if everybody was ok and did they require anything. Giving reassurance about what would happen , explaining the doctors/ consultants would come round , talk to us and give us the chance to ask any questions. When my time came one of the nurses and registrar came from the Cath lab to explain what to expect from the procedure, who would be there and the aftercare .I received antibiotics which made me feel sick and dizzy, they settled me down before going in. 

Again, when I went in they told me step by step what would happen , introduced themselves one by one, asking if I was okay and wanted to ask any questions. Small talk to relax me also. 

It was over after about 30 minutes and I was taken back to the ward.

Got something to eat and within 10 mins didn’t feel well well, my BP dropped to 50/44 and I was violently sick. All staff came to help immediately, gave me anti-sick meds, cleaned and changed my gown etc and IV fluids to settle me . All of this in the most calm, organised, efficient manner, ensuring everything would be OK . Gradual improvement, feeling better, and BP rising , always focused on me as were the others to reassure me I was in the right place . Consultant came through to talk to me and let me know I would be able to go home that night, assuming my BP would not drop .

Throughout the day the nurses were so comforting, spoke in a calm but assured tone , so interested in me as a person, answered all the questions I had, attentive to the other 3 patients also, and carried out all the obs they had to .

In a time where our NHS is stretched, staff pushed to the maximum levels etc, they were all fantastic especially Angela who was looking after me when I was vomiting and my BP dropped to 50, she was brilliant.

The full team were, I’ve been in the healthcare system now since 2013 and have had exemplary care, this continued yesterday despite the challenges our NHS has in these difficult times .

Thank you to everyone who looked after me at Hairmyres .