"On Thursday 20 August 2007 I suffered, ..."

What I liked

On Thursday 20 August 2007 I suffered, what I thought was a heart attack. I telephoned the 999 service, explained my symptoms, and in a few minutes an ambulance arrived at my home. The wonderful paramedics took my vital signs and other assessments, and then decided I needed to go to the hospital. I arrived at Southend Hospital, where the doctor viewed my chest x-ray and found a spot on my lung they believed was a blood clot causing the pain, shortness of breath, and other ailments.

The following morning I underwent a CAT scan. The spot was not significant, however, but other findings were. The scan revealed I have heavily calcified coronary arteries. My blood samples also showed a very high cholesterol level (6.9) and other factors. These findings could have lead to a heart attack, stroke, angina, and other cardiac problems. Had the doctor and their colleagues not fully investigated my problems, and used their knowledge in a caring way, along with the foresight to order a CAT scan, they would not have found the cholesterol and arterial calcification.

I moved to the UK in 2006 to marry in a Civil Partnership, and have heard and read nothing but bad reports and experiences with the National Health Service. I will never have a negative thing to say about the NHS, its employees, or any service associated with it. It is time something good appears in print about this organization.

Daniel Lee

What could be improved

My only complaint is about a member of staff who's job it was to serve meals and remove dishes after patients eat.

Thank you