My young friend 39,had 'mild' heart attack, 2wks ago , saw Op clinic Dr today. Completely unintelligible English . Wanted to discharge! Where is advice, follow-up etc, reason for attack? Eventually further appt for 'echo' test. How does she complain + change hospital? Any further advice gratefully received!
Thankyou!
If I were you I would start by calling your PALS service and see whatthey say, a call to the BHF nurses by your frind may also be worthwhile
Hope they get some information soon
D
Yes I recommended PALS to her - now called patient experience in this hospital apparently.
Also gave her the BHF helpline number to ring.
I really think she should do both but I fear she may be amongst those who doesn't want a fuss - I am Hoping her husband will though and I will keep trying.
Many thanks for your help.
Under the NHS constitution you have a right to select the consultant and/or hospital of your choice.
I did exactly that.
I was disatisfied with how the BRI (Bristol) were dealing with my Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and after some research I asked my GP to refer me to a consultant chosen by me at the Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital even though that is many miles outside the clinical commissioning group area for Gloucestershire.
You will have to be persistent though. Do some research and then press you GP hard to refer you to the consutltant you want.
Good luck.
Thank you and well done to you. I certainly think my friend should follow this path and I will bring it to her attention. Much appreciated your help.
this is just dreadful how some people are been treated, i went for a echo and was given a grand total of 5 minutes and yet i was susposed to be re-checked for a leaky heart valve along with a new condition HF so how they would get much detail in that amount of time is beyond me and it seems someone else also went to the same dept and was also only given limited scan and of course the report came back that there wasn't enough details for any diagnoses what do they expect for 5 minutes.
i am now convinced they are doing this to save time and money but at what expense to us.
i will be addressing this matter if need be with my doctors.
Thank you Mikey. Good luck with your actions . I have suggested consulting with GP also.
You mention your friend had a ‘mild’ heart attack. Personally, I would never use the term mild for a heart attack as it is always serious. How were they treated – did they have stents, how long were they in hospital, were they offered rehab, etc?
If it was indeed ‘mild’ are they treating it conservatively with medication (blood pressure tablets, statins and so forth) and lifestyle changes as appropriate (e.g. smoking cessation, dietary changes, exercise and weight loss if needed)?
I think your friend’s first move is to talk for her GP, and find our about ‘mild’ and ongoing treatment. With all the facts they will be better placed to make a decision.
Thank You Michael. My friend was in hospital overnight. No stents and no rehab offered.
No weight problem. Appropriate meds as you say. I also think she shou!d see GP now. Tnankyou for your help.
Thank you - I just wanted to confirm a few things as occasionally people miss things as they are in shock, understandably. A friend had a heart attack, was in for three nights and had a follow up 12 weeks later. During the three days he had all the tests. Your friend needs to discuss things with her GP including options of changing NHS Trusts - this needs research as many consultants work for more than one trust and in the private sector.
Yes I think you are right Michael. I have been in touch with another friend ( older though) who has heart problems and she went to a different hospital and saw a different consultant who was very good, so I have passed this on to my younger friend. Also apparently MRI may be useful as for older one it showed up 'dead' part of heart muscle so op for her not possible.
Just waiting to hear now from young friend again. Hoping by now she has seen/ made appointment, with GP.
Thankyou.
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