"Great care after my heart attack"

Everything about the way my heart attack was handled was as good as I could have wished for. Everyone involved made every effort to make me relaxed and at ease.

The person who handled the call to the paramedics who came to my home then took me into hospital on Saturday evening.

The ward staff who looked after me on resuscitation and assessment, before I arrived on the cardiac ward.

The surgeon and staff who put 3 stents into my arteries and sent me home on Wednesday morning after only 4 nights in hospital.

Every question that I raised was answered clearly in plain language. The procedure that I went through was explained in great detail both before and during the operation,

The care and attention on the wards was first class.

The ward was clean, spacious and comfortable considering the circumstances. Also, the food was good with enough choice.

And all this was happening while BBC film crews were on the corridors outside making news reports about the poor state of the NHS!!!

After discharge I was given a 6 week cardiac rehabilitation programme to follow.

This was monitored from my local hospital in Clitheroe.

The manual that came with this programme was very supportive not just for me but also my wife. Not only did it guide me through an exercise programme, but it contained ideas about life-style and answered many questions that we had about my heart attack and how to cope with the future.

Following the 6 weeks of "gentle" rehabilitation, I was moved onto 3 months gym activities closely monitored at Roefield.

Now I feel fine, life is normal. In fact I feel better than I did before the heart attack.

I cannot speak highly enough of the treatment and care from everyone involved in my treatment by the NHS.