"A.and E treatment for atrial fibrillation"

Last week I suffered my third episode of atrial fiblillation.

I arrived at A and E at about 9.30 pm in an ambulance when the department was under acute pressure. Ambulances were queuing outside and there were lots of people waiting on trolleys.

I was taken straight to resuss, connected to a drip and within an hour my heart was back in sinus rhythm.

I am a single parent so my fifteen year old daughter came with me in the ambulance. Her older brother and his partner joined us at the hospital - largely to look after her rather than me.

The staff in the unit were serene under extreme pressure. They had to hunt for pumps and other kit having run out of them in the department. They didn't even have enough chairs let alone beds or cubicles.

The staff were never impatient. Never critical, they never allowed their frustration to show or affect the care they offered.

They just set about solving the problems they were faced with and helping their patients as best they could. They have my undying admiration and gratitude. Please pass on my heartfelt thanks.