"My unexpected 8 days in East Surrey Hospital"

One recent Wednesday morning I was happily working away in my Surrey office when I was suddenly crippled by excruciating chest pains. Being overweight, over forty and in a stressful career I was convinced it was my heart and feared the worst.

Paramedics quickly arrived and I was transferred to East Surrey Hospital.

Over the next seven days I went from A&E to AMU, to Horley ward to Bletchingly to Charlwood and then thankfully to discharge and home.

I can only say the care I received throughout was second to none. The staff were compassionate, caring and supportive in everyway possible.

Thankfully my condition was a gastric one and was quickly resolved by the experts on the Endoscopy unit. However, I can only say that I experienced some very dark, long nights of worry and despair during my time in hospital but the staff did all they could to support and help me.

I am also conscious of the fact that the staff also have to contend with so much more than their immediate patients as the family and loved ones of the patients also need care, sensitivity and compassion.

Words cannot convey the depth of gratitude I have for all staff at East Surrey so I would like to say thank you to the staff on Bletchingly and Charlwood wards and to everyone in the background that enables you to deliver such an amazing service.

Thank you.