"Excellent Service from the Cardiac Unit"

I was fortunate to have the consultant cardiologist visit my local hospital for the recent consultation, which confirmed I would benefit from angioplasty.

It had been decided elsewhere that my other significant medical problem would need a change of treatment soon and it would be essential to have the angioplasty completed prior to that change.

The consultant cardiologist was able to arrange for the angioplasty by the required date, i.e. end Sept '15.

I was supplied with a very useful booklet describing the procedure and the minor risks involved.

I arrived by 8 a.m. and was immediately prepared for a modern cardiac catheter laboratory's first procedure of the day..

A well-coordinated team of five specialist staff was involved headed by the consultant cardiologist.

They introduced themselves to me and kept me informed throughout the procedure.

They checked that I was comfortable and free from pain.

I was advised to accept sedation which I found helpful and was able to stay alert.

The investigatory part of the procedure took most of the time, partly due to finding two separate areas of one coronary artery being significantly narrowed.

The type of stent used had to be different to the one initially planned and this was discussed with me during the procedure, which had also been complicated by the fact that I had internal bleeding, for which no cause had been found, only a couple of weeks previously at a different hospital.

The laboratory procedure took approximately 90 minutes but at no time did I feel anxious and I suffered only minor discomfort and no pain at all.

I was shown the key areas of the procedure, including the improved blood-flow, on the monitor at the end of the session.

On return to the cardiac day ward, I was monitored frequently and very effectively by the nursing staff to control residual bleeding from the wrist.

I was not allowed to go home the same day unless I had someone present at home to look after me,

I am 90 and live on my own, but fortunately one of my daughters and her husband travelled from Wales to be with me.

I was discharged by the cardiologist and given appropriate medication to take home with me.

I could not have wished for better care and treatment.

All the staff were so helpful and very efficient.

Thank you all for the excellent service you provided.

I am already feeling the benefit of your teamwork.