NHS Swansea Wales Cardiac Care

Hi Guys , I’m now 62 and finally emigrating from Cape Town South Africa to Mumbles in Swansea Wales. I need advice best way to get Cardiac Care from a Cardiologist without having to go through a GP every time . I’ve had 3 heart attacks , 1 st one Emergency Quad Bypass age 49 ,2nd one 54, 3rd one 59 resulting in a Stent. On all sorts of meds as I have problems with high blood pressure and clots. I’m on private message aid here but will be NHS in UK so I’m very very nervous re my care there. I will be bringing my full history and a letter from my Cardiologist and GO. Many Thanks

[Prada47]

Morriston Hospital in Swansea is very good.

You will need to go via a GP if your using the NHS. You will have to register to get your prescription so you may as well discuss it then.

Simonstone used to be an old haunt long long ago.

Regards

[Hidden in reply to Prada47]

Hi , thanks yes hopefully it will go smoothly as I have to have a cardiologist check up every 6 months . I won’t be able to get private healthcare with all my pre existing health issues do NHS it. Cheers very hot sunny Cape Town.

[Hidden in reply to Prada47]

Thanks , Simonstown has not changed much

[Thecyclist]

If you get referred as soon as you arrive to the doctors then you should be placed in the care of a cardiologist, I suspect with what you have you will get one quickly, it then depends on the cardiologist. But I don't see why you would need to keep going through the GP?

I live in Cardiff and have had brilliant care through Llandough which is a smaller hospital on the outskirts of Cardiff. I call my consultant directly if I have any issues and they are brilliant, only use the GP for routine blood tests/repeats/appointments.

Both Morriston and Singleton offer fantastic care, I am sure you won't have an issue.

I grew up in Mumbles and had an amazing childhood there. Not a bad spot to come to live although the wether won't be like Cape Town as I'm sure you know!

[Hidden in reply to Thecyclist]

Awesome , thank you so much , you have put my mind at ease . Michael

[Gowers in reply to Thecyclist]

Agree - great area to live & I know Morriston hospital has excellent reputation (as has Llandough)

[mewg]

morriston have 1 of the best heart surgeons in the uk dr kumar and he done my aortic valve replacement and his team are are all good so you be in good hands there.

[Hidden]

Thanks guys , your making me feel so much better as emigrating at 62 is stressful enough . Looking forward to being part of the wonderful Welsh community .

[Gowers in reply to Hidden]

Just living in Mumbles will make you feel better, eg: enjoying a Joes ice cream while looking out to sea!! - expect you will have seen the various changes that have taken place over last few years when you were househunting. Morriston has excellent cardio reputation my bro has been treated there in last few years. Recenty a friend had complex valve surgery done that they couldn't get done while living down south.

[Hidden]

Thank you so much , now I’m feeling a whole lot better . We bought a house off Plunch Rd in Libby Way just above Joes Ice Cream ( diet 🙄)

[Gowers in reply to Hidden]

Oh ! I know that part really well - friends live there since houses were built & love it. (I remember there was a pink painted house there a few years ago) a long way from SA but you have done well to find a house in the area. And, so near to Joes🍦

Even if you did have private insurance there is only one small private hospital in Swansea itself (Sancta Maria) they do mostly minor operations though this may have changed now. at one time a few nhs cardiologists did private consultations there, the hospital is due to be moving from Walter road to the Mariner SA1 area, building was under construction last time I was visiting.

Morriston is well known for its cardiology dept. Don't know what waiting times are like but you should get good care there. Do let us know on the forum how you get on

[Thecyclist in reply to Hidden]

Good choice, I grew up in Thistleboon at the top of Plunch Lane! You'll love it there! Rotherslade, Langland Bay and Caswell Bay are as good an any beach's in the world. Allow yourself one Joe's, they are the best!

[Gowers in reply to Thecyclist]

Only one Joe's?😉 !! I know thistleboon area - you're right a lot of lovely beaches. Great area to grow up in

[Qualipop]

I can't think of any way to do that unless you take out health insurance and go privately which woudl probably be exorbitantly expensive.

[Hidden]

I won’t get private insurance in UK for my existing health issues. Here I’ve was on before my existing conditions

[Hidden]

Thank you everyone , I have gone from being concerned to very excited about starting a new life at 62 in Swansea and the very welcoming Welsh people people( please forgive us for winning Rugby World Cup😉) Our only child. , daughter finishing year at Swansea Uni, then hoping to get into British Police Force. Coming wife who is a Chartered Accountant plus my big Bullmastiff baby. Thanks again to all

[Palpman in reply to Hidden]

Welcome to the UK Strandlooper. I landed here from Cape Town 11 months ago aged 64.

Had little help with arrhythmia in South Africa but here I seem to be more in hospital or visiting my doc and going for procedures to find the cause than I have been here at home.

At long last I am being helped.

[Hidden in reply to Palpman]

I hope they find the cause and sort it out . We live in a Melkbos , West Coast

[Palpman in reply to Hidden]

Hence your name of Strandloper. We lived in Langebaan and then in Simon's Town for 17 years.

[Hidden]

That’s great to hear , looking forward to Swansea and Welsh friendly people in particular

[Gowers in reply to Hidden]

Made me feel homesick now. It will be lovely to be nearer to your daughter - sounds like you are feeling better already!!

[Hidden in reply to Gowers]

Yes, really want to near our daughter but obvious concerns about my health there as here I have private health care . I do live where we ended up buying a house as coastal path literally across the road , Bracelet Bay , Mumbles Pier a short walk . Now for the weather 😂