There
when you need us most
This week I had a health scare. I had been experiencing some shortness of
breath and chest pain. I was about to start a meeting when I felt dizzy and
clammy. My mind started racing, I am a fit and active with few risk indicators
for cardiac problems, although I confess that I like a beer and a glass of wine
at the weekend. Dr Gary O’Hare took me to the A&E at Whiston, although I
was reluctant to go he and Dr Cliff Richards insisted that I should get checked
out and that it was an A&E issue. In the next few hours I received
absolutely fabulous treatment. Three ECGs, two blood tests and a chest x-ray
later and I was discharged, with some follow up to come but assured that I was
fit and healthy and it was unlikely that I had a heart problem.
So, for me, the NHS was there when I needed it most. It was also there for the
people I spoke to throughout the day – the woman with a UTI, the elderly man
who had fallen, the woman who wanted to end her life as she felt she could not
go on – I enjoyed the quality of the conversations. I saw care, compassion and
professionalism everywhere – staff who are deeply and passionately committed to
caring for people. In a strange way I enjoyed the experience, it was
interesting to see it from a different perspective.
Congratulations to
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Well done to all those who work at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust. The Care Quality Commission has just rated St Helens Hospital has
been rated as an outstanding hospital and Whiston Hospital rated as good with
outstanding features. This places them amongst the best hospitals in the
NHS.
Simon Banks
Chief Officer
