Papworth?

[Numberone1]

I keep reading people going to Papworth for their heart issues etc and wondered if this is the best place to request to go to? Or is it only area based.

Many thanks

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi there, I think it very much depends on where your cardiologist sends you and would in most cases be local unless there is a specialised need that could only be done somewhere else.

I was taken ill in London, first to the Royal London, but transferred to Barts for my operation and I live in Essex where I would have expected a local hospital, indeed I had a choice for rehab, Queens in Romford or Basildon, but Basildon is the major centre within Essex as is Barts in London as I understand it

[Fredders]

I'm having my AVR done at Glenfields, Leicester. Had the first one done here 6 years ago and they are excellent and have s good track record.

Wendy

[bowler]

I live on the borders of Cambridge and Suffolk, so all my past health issues have been in Addenbrook's Cambridge. When I had sleep problems I was sent Papworth for test for sleep apnoea, and now with my recent findings of heart murmur and leaky heart valve and angina I was referred to the West Suffolk hospital as Addenbrooks couldn't see me as a fast track referral patient so I had no choice. I was a bit disappointed not being able to go to Addenbrooks, as it's an excellent hospital. and.

Just to say that Papworth hospital is being transferred to Addenbrooks in the near future and is in the process of being built, however I am happy with my treatment at the west Suffolk hospital, but it is a bit further to go and parking is so expensive, with Addenbrooks I can get on the park and ride that takes me right to the hospital, and free with my bus pass. Sorry if I digressed a little.

[Ethel13]

Hi,

I researched surgeons rather than hospital, obviously you don’t want to travel miles away. I found my surgeon at Harefield which is half an hour’s drive away, double that in the rush hour.

Hope that helps,

Dory ❤️

[stevejb1810]

In theory you have choice through the choose and book system. In practice however what tends to happen is that your local general hospital would be linked to a particular cardiothoracic centre. In my case I live in East Herts, my local health group links to Harlow which links to the centre of excellence at Basildon. As far as I am concerned, the Basildon team walks on water🙂

So yes there is some choice and you have the right to be able to express it.

[Twobells]

I had mine in Oxford. However, my surgeon came from Barts. The Oxford hospital has a specialist cardiology/thoracic unit. So I think many of us are sent to the nearest centre within your local health authority.

[Kazcoles64]

Hi i was refered to Papworth as it is literally 15 mins from my home when im there people from all over the country travel to be seen there. It is in fact moving to Addenbrookes next September where it will be much bigger and can do more studies. Papworth is a very well known heart and lung hospital so i do feel happy to be there but saying that they do have problems with there admin and sometimes communication isnt that good. My latest MRI scan results have gone missing and iv know idea if they have been found yet, I have also had to chase up appointments because they have forgotten to send me one luckily im on the ball but some people may forget they need to be seen at a certain time and this can be dangerous for them. Also i have been given all this awful news a couple of months ago that im going to need open heart surgery soon as my valve wont last 2 years, yet since then i have heard nothing just sent home to worry stupid. Im thinking of going to see my GP for a chat as i dont know about booking a summer holiday etc iv not been told anything really and not sure where i go from here.

Caroline x

[bowler]

It's so frustrating having to chase up appointments, like you say it's down to the admin. staff. Lets hope when Papworth move to Addenbrooks things will get better !! I think the waiting and not knowing is the worse thing.

I hope you don't have to wait too long.

Pat x