"Awesome treatment at Good Hope Hospital"

I was admitted into the care of the cardiology team following referral from my GP through A and E at Good Hope Hospital at the end of July.

I was seen and assessed by an A and E nurse, followed very quickly by an in depth assessment from the cardiology specialist nurse in A and E. His care and explanations as to what was occurring with my heart and what I would need to have done were clear and easily understood. He ensured my husband also understood at what was a frightening time for us both. I had a cannula inserted and range of blood tests requested with explanations given by the cardiology nurse for all his actions.

The nurses passion for his speciality and his dedication to ensuring I received the best care was exceptional but I would state that this would be the usual standard for his patients. He exudes that level of professionalism. I was glad to have his expertise direct my care and treatment.

I was moved by a porter for a chest x- ray, returned and then seen by a cardiology consultant, again he explained what was occurring and my plan of treatment with an overnight admission for telemetry and possibly a pacemaker the following day.

I was taken up to the ward for admission at approximately 16. 00 where again I met friendly and helpful staff who ensured I ordered a hot meal for that evening.

Overnight I met more friendly and informative staff as my dropping heart rate kept sounding the monitor’s alarm. Sr K was really helpful and ensured I was given explanations and material to read regarding pacemakers. It is humbling how ill I was to be told that they had stood by me throughout the night to check I was actually breathing as I had slowed down so much during my sleep.

In the morning I was seen by the cardiologist and his team and we had a discussion regarding a pacemaker being fitted in the afternoon. I was thankful to have it done on Friday and incredibly impressed, at no stage did I feel alarmed by what was happening to me as the teams I had met were so supportive and I felt totally confident in them.

I had a pacemaker fitted on Friday afternoon with a team of people present within the laboratory to facilitate its success that I would not and had not appreciated needed to be present for one procedure. I am interested in how much things cost as like all people I appreciate value for money. I had asked the cardiology team for some indication of the costs of my pacemaker and their time within the cardiology lab having the pacemaker fitting procedure – their time and that procedure alone is approaching roughly £30, 000 not including my admission, overnight stay with monitoring and all the other investigations/medications I had been given in the 24 hour period.

The cardiologists explanations and concern were very much appreciated by myself and yet again this was not exceptional to me as I witnessed how he greeted his next patient for a procedure in the cardiology lab after myself. The elderly looking gentleman had the same positive and kind greeting I had experienced with a last minute check for any concerns. I was struck by the skilled, professional and non judgemental service offered by this team of staff.

I was humbled by the intense professionalism and warm greeting/ friendly interactions that I received from all grades of staff from my moment of registration through to transportation by porters around the hospital and my discharge on the evening after admittance.

I had 2 hot cooked meals in my stay that were tasty and plentiful, the quality was good, I ate all of it and I think the catering staff deserve some recognition for their achievement in producing the huge number of quality meals every day.

In 24 hours I met 4 different ward food/fluid replenisher’s who were all smiles and helpful to me, 2 porters who were also reassuring and skilful at moving me around the hospital as well as the radiographers, nursing and cardiology teams. My treatment was completed within a timeframe that I feel wouldn’t have been matched by private healthcare.

I am totally impressed by the dedication and commitment of all the staff I met who ensured my attendance and experience was incredibly positive. I felt humbled afterwards as I realised I could have died – I am only 53 and work hard to maintain my own health and fitness. This is not something I was expecting. I feel that I have been given an incredible MOT, some new electrics but will be good for another 50, 000 miles now! I am very thankful!

I am a registered nurse and knew a couple of the people involved in my care but this I do not feel influenced my care in any way differently to that of an unknown member of the public. I was treated, respected and informed as any other patient and this indicates to me the highest level of professional competence.

I did thank all of the staff teams at the time and remain an outpatient now but feel that every day such negative press is directed against the NHS and positive experiences must be raised to offset the negatives everyone looks for, hence my contribution to this site. Please thank all the teams involved in my care for their sheer professionalism and commitment to great service.

I have had an amazing experience as a patient and I am willing for this to shared with any others who you may feel would benefit from it.