"What a wonderful experience"

I am a visitor from Canada. On the day I arrived, I experienced chest pains and went to St Mary's accidents and emergencies department. From there I was transferred by ambulance to Hammersmith's heart assessment centre. It was determined (in an angiogram) that I need bypass surgery which is now scheduled.

I spent longer than most patients do in the HAC because of my unique circumstances as a visitor. In addition to undergoing tests to determine what treatments I needed, I also had to sort through issues with my travel insurer as to whether treatment should take place at home or over here. (In the end all parties agreed I should have the surgery at Hammersmith.)

As an in-patient in the HAC for four days, I got to know and observe many of the nurses and other staff as they worked to support me and other patients. I was incredibly impressed with what I saw and experienced. The medical professionals in HAC are not only highly skilled but also compassionate, caring and fun to be around. They turned what could have been a difficult and unpleasant situation into something pleasant and encouraging.

I must also express similar praise for the staff in the A&E at St Mary's. Every doctor, nurse and technical expert who attended to me there (in a nine-hour visit that included x-rays, ECG and two separate blood tests) was thorough, professional and caring. I witnessed this with other patients as well.

I have come away from this with massive respect for the NHS and in particular for the two units I was exposed to (Hammersmith NAC and St Mary's A&E). Bravo!