Sorry this is delayed but we have just been on a 600 mile round trip for a family BBQ and see my sister in law who has just had her second hip done.
Some weeks ago I received in the post an appointment for the local hospital cardiology department. I was surprised as I had not had any problems apart from last year's little fiasco which we don't talk about but decide to go as I wanted to discuss maybe reducing some of my BP meds. Friday morning I pitched up there and after the usual stats like weight, height, BP (white coat par excellence) etc I sat with my book expecting a long session. After less than 20 mins I was called by the cardiologist (a Russian lady called Svetlana*********) and taken into her consulting room. Having wrong footed her by asking if she knew Irina Savlieva,who works with Prof Camm we got on quite well,. She asked how I was, I pointed out that I was fine apart from lack of pulse in my right wrist since my angiogram . She listen to my heart and asked how my AF was. I said what AF lol and we discussed various aspects such as what if any drugs I was taking as well as my wish to maybe reduce BP meds in line with my recent weight loss which seems to have helped in that respect. Having exhausted most topics (hard to believe with me isn't it Flapjack) I asked why I had been called in and she said that they liked to see all their arrhythmia patients once a year!!!
Now I love North Devon and know that the health care in the area is excellent. We have a greater percentage of older residents here than most places due to it being a popular retirement area and as such probably have more care services per population than many places. GP positions attract hundreds of applicants due to it being a nice place to live so standards are high. OK pressure is always on the NHS but isn't it wonderful to have such standards in place. Now the cynic in me may think that this may or not have anything to do with some of my connections but heh who's complaining.
Having made you all jealous it's wine o'clock. Been driving since 11 am so deserve it but pity the poor so and so's going north on M5 which is a car park for about forty miles.
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BobD
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I’m glad N Devon gets inundated with GP applicants, because our practice in E Devon advertised a post for 2 years and got 3 applicants, none of whom wanted a full time position. Anyway - don’t shout about it too loudly Bob - do we really want to be inundated by the hoards - apart from the holiday makers of course. I’ve also noticed the increased monitoring at RD&E & GP practice.
We were just talking about the M5 queues at lunch, hope you had a successful trip.
Well I am really jealous, I had to kick up a fuss to get an appointment because of severe symptoms as I had been 'discharged' so I shall be interested to see if anything arrives in the post next year! I wonder if it had anything to do with the 'fiasco'? Making sure you are still firing on all cylinders 😀
I always used to get yearly cardiology appts at my local hospital. These days I'm seen at least twice a year.... ( more if they're unlucky )
Scar tissue from the angiogram! She said she could feel a pulse but nobody else can. Right hand is always more pale then left and gets cramp easily. EP I know says that this can happen in about 5% of cases.
Here in South Wales it seems to be alottery whether or not you have a yearly appointment. I am seen every year by my EP and also a separate yearly appointment with my arrhythmia nurse. Im very happy with this. My husband also has well controlled AF, and sees the same EP every year. We both have stress tests every couple of years too. Neither one of us have any other health issues that would affect the AF. However, other people we know who have AF, are only seen and managed by their GP. I continued to be called for appointments following my failed ablation and my husband was referred to the EP after a trip to A and E in fast AF. Anyway, Im glad we are bei g well looked after but the system doesnt seem very fair.
Glad all is well with you Bob. X
Delightful story Bob, even included a cameo role for me!! Can't wait to try pulse hunting next time we meet...…..enjoy your evening wind down!!
I am heading to north Devon probably think that's the best place to retire. Sounds wonderful and perhaps a slower pace of life away from Essex might be the answer it's maniac here and the m25 never helps my blood pressure x
I moved here from Sth Woodham Ferrers in 04 and just back from a night in Chelmsford so know where you are coming from. Only problem with living here is that any trip out is a nightmare and MUST NOT be attempted on Saturdays or Sundays as this is change over time . So when did I go? That said my wheels turning time was 4 1/2 hours as I was going in the opposite direction to most of the lemmings. Never seen Gordano's service at Bristol as crowded in all my time though.
Very busy here often grid licked if the bridge is blocked A127 A13 nightmare hate travelling on the M25 otherwise known as the car park. Thank goodness Leigh on Sea is on the door step for fresh air restaurants etc. However I think we will move in the next couple of years.
Hi BobD , North Devon sounds much like the Causeway Coast in some respects, an influx of residents as it’s a retirement area and a huge fivefold swell in population during the holiday season which I always think is very unfair to our hard pressed medical resourses since their funding doesn’t take this into account.
Having said that, I’m impressed by the frequency of my check ups, which are much more regular under the NHS than during my previous private regime, with added benefits such as the heart failure team.
Hope you enjoyed your wine. My last glass was to toast a bride and groom at a wedding and the couple have just celebrated their second wedding anniversary, although I have a very big birthday coming up and am contemplating the possibility of raising a glass then. Cheers !!!
Lucky you is all I can say Bob. I go to St Thomas’. Left umpteen messages for the arrhythmia nurses and they never get back to you. After my last admission to the local hospital was supposed to be referred to chest physicians regarding chest CT. Still waiting another numerous phone calls. Got through to a human to be told it’s not been done. Seeing GP Friday. Had to wait 2 weeks for that appointment! I’ve given up 😞😞
I have neither EP or GP followup , left to my own devices !!! Perhaps I should either cultivated better " friends " or move to Bob's side of the peninsula lol x
What a wonderful post Bob and I am envious of your treatment there in North Devon. I love that part of the country and spent many happy holidays there. I wish I could be as upbeat about Oxfordshire and AF but the countryside is nearly as good😁
Coincidentally, I was in both South Wales (near Bridgend) and in South Devon (near Newton Abbott) last week. I live in Lancashire, and can confirm that the M5 is just as bad as you say, but does not compare to the 50 miles of road works on the M6 with it's frequent total closures for accidents etc. any day of the week. The M6 is a nightmare, and the roadworks forecast to finish in March 2022. Ha! Some chance!
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