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You saved my wife's life

Posted By tearortwo

"You saved my wife's life"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Accident & Emergency University Hospital Hairmyres / Cardiology

(as a relative),

Having travelled up from the Midlands of England in our motorhome we parked in Troon, at the extreme end of the harbour, overlooking the Firth of Clyde.

At around 3.30 in the morning my wife became extremely nauseous and broke out in a cold sweat, which I suspected might be food poisoning or some allergic reaction.

In attempting to go to the toilet she collapsed into unconsciousness on the floor.

I found the nearest hospital on my GPS was Crosshouse near Kilmarnock and hightailed it for help.

The A & E team there saved my wife's life. Immediately after arrival she had a cardiac arrest and they thumped her chest and electric shocked her back to life.

An emergency ambulance proceeded to take her at speed to Hairmyres where a team had been assembled to operate immediately to remove a blood clot to a major artery.

All this took place within two hours of her collapsing and me getting her to hospital. A remarkable co-ordinated emergency service for which we will be forever grateful.

Within 24 hours she once again looked better than me and visitors to the ward began to think I was the invalid.

Let me take this opportunity to thank the Scottish NHS from the bottom of our rejuvenated hearts.

PS I think I am still in shock. My wife is fine.

PPS If there is a cure for the fear, disbelief, reassurance, hope, support, humour and the extraordinary care to which my wife and I have been subjected over the past four days from the Scottish NHS I would like to buy some, bottle it send it to our English politicians, to cure some of their maladies and dispel any doubts about Scottish talent and dedication.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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Responses

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 9 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 16/06/2014 at 09:20
Published on Care Opinion at 11:27

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear teaortwo,

I am delighted you and your wife have had such good care and such a good outcome. Please do not underestimate the part you played with your quick thinking too.

This is coordination at its best across the services and we are very happy to hear it worked so well for you. You mentioned reassurance, hope, support, humour and the extraordinary care to which you and your wife have been subjected, I too would like to bottle it and spread it far and wide.

Thank you so much for letting us know about this, I will pass it on to ensure it is cascaded to the team.

Kindest regards,

Eunice

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Response from David Hume, Director of Hospital Services, Hairmyres Hospital, NHS Lanarkshire 9 years ago
David Hume
Director of Hospital Services, Hairmyres Hospital,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 16/06/2014 at 09:50
Published on Care Opinion at 11:27

picture of David Hume

Hello tearortwo,

Many, many thanks for taking the trouble to go online and write this, especially after your long trip back down to Burton.

I was so pleased to meet you last week in the corridor, and then to meet your wife in the CCU. It was such a dramatic story and I am just so pleased that it all worked out so well.

I have already spoken to the staff concerned to bring your lovely comments to their attention and they are absolutely delighted that you took the trouble to do this.

We have worked very closely with colleagues in Ayrshire to establish this 'Optimal Reperfusion Services' as it is called, and whilst we review the overall level of activity going through this service, I think your account illustrates the whole point of the service in a way that our formal reports cannot hope to do.

I sincerely hope that both you and your wife have recovered from the experience, and I wish you the very best on behalf of all of the team at Hairmyres.

Very best wishes

David Hume

Director of Hospital Services

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Update posted by tearortwo (a relative)

Hello again.

I am so glad that my story has been well read and appreciated.

Pauline continues to improve daily and did two 20 minute walks today without any problems and provided knowledgeable oversite as I set about the ironing, washed the windows, vacuumed throughout, prepared the vegetables, made endless cups of tea and helped me plan my shopping trip to the supermarket tomorrow.

A house husbands work is not only never done but never done as well it would seem.

C'est la vie.

I write, however, to pass on further praise to the professionalism of Hairmyres admin in particular which was expressed by the coronary dept of Queens Hospital in Burton on Trent when they spoke to Pauline earlier today.

They contacted Pauline to say that they had had a most excellent and comprehensive report from Hairmyres on her history and treatment and this had very obviously impressed them immensely.

You appear to be setting a standard of care and aftercare to which they would like to aspire.

Keep up the excellent work, it is being recognised far and wide.

PS Can a person die from houseworkitis?

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 9 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 17/06/2014 at 09:00
Published on Care Opinion at 09:18

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear tearortwo,

Glad to hear your wife's health is going from strength to strength.

I am no expert but if houseworkitis killed, many women would have been there before you I suspect. (He He He, Sorry).

Take care and continue the good work.

Eunice

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