"My Treatment in Hinchingbrook"

Earlier in April I visited the NHS Direct at Hinchingbrook where with the minimum of fuss I was seen by Dr Jack's. The reason for the visit was that I was very short of breath and also had severe pains down my right hand side. After examining me Dr Jacks prescribed some anti biotics and pain killers. He told me that should it not get better the I could return to him and "just walk in" This was very surprising and not anything that I had thought would or could happen within the NHS. A caring doctor.

During the next day I managed to get through it at home but on the Friday morning I visited my GP DR Morrison at the Sawtry Surgery. I had never met this doctor before but she took the time to fully examine me and concluded that it was possible that I had a blood clot or Pleurisy and immediately contacted A&E at Hinchingbrook giving them all my details.

After arranging a driver to take me I arrived at A&E and within 15 minutes a nurse came out and I has ECG and blood tests done. Another 20 minutes later a lady doctor who was very young came out to see me. I will never decry young people again, she was brilliant and went through a lot of lifestyle questions with me. Once finished it was off to the X Ray department, again this was done within 15 minutes of me arriving there.

Its back to A&E now and the expected long wait which took around 25 minutes. Once in A& E further tests had to be taken. At this stage my wife who was with me and myself thought the level of service was of the highest quality only to be topped later. A&E was really busy and emergencies would have to take priorty something we totally accepted.

At around 3.30pm we were told that a bed was available. This was the only negative about my day. Nobody had told me I was to be admitted, but no worries. I was taken to a holding ward and later up to SSU.

In all I was in the hospital 3 nights and in some sort of weird way enjoyed myself. The level of attention and the care I saw passed on to other patients as well as myself was second to none.

I do have Private Insurance but I could not have been treated better anywhere,

I understand that the hospital has had some bad press in the part but I can only relate my experience.