"Heart Centre and Coronary Care Unit (Willow D)"

Anything else?

I was taken to the Heart Centre by Great North Air Ambulance, which saved me a lot of pain and heart damage. I think the Heart Centre team had been specially called in and were awaiting my arrival. I was treated immediately, my artery was unblocked by the doctor aided by a very young looking team! He even showed me a 'before and after' view on the x-ray screen. I remember seeing blue sky and clouds floating above, I was taken up............... to the Coronary Care Unit (Willow D). Very light, pleasant room with four beds plus two single rooms all with care monitors, TV etc. I think the floor was cleaned every day, and at some times, I noticed nurses cleaning electronic equipment, shelves and drawers in a storage area. There was a choice of menu, the food was served out (hot) by nursing staff so they could see that patients were eating. Unlike in one Yorkshire hospital I visited (not recently) where patients could have starved, as food was served, then removed by different staff, with no involvement by nurses. Food; surely essential for recovery. The Staff - Excellent. They worked well together as a team, the more experienced giving a lead to the younger ones, who seemed to enjoy working and learning from the more experienced. Rather like the apprentice system which I experienced when young. It was good to be able to talk to a Rehabilitation Nurse who explained what had happened, answered questions and gave me a Heart Manual book containing a recovery program and advice. I have not found any faults. Maybe I was fortunate, I know one patient who was not happy when moved to another area. On my way out I noticed that some rooms were not so light and airy. As for decisions about my care, I leave that to the professionals. Same sex accommodation - I don't understand the question. Am I happy that there is same sex accommodation? (or) do I prefer single sex areas? I was in a mixed area with two nice ladies and it worked fine. I would thank all those people involved in my care. Michael.