I HAVE been reading with interest the articles regarding heart patients and York District Hospital (YDH). I would like to relate to you my experience with the hospital.

On January 5 this year, I was taken by ambulance to YDH suffering from chest pains. I arrived at about noon in accident and emergency. The doctors and staff were very prompt in checking me out and were not sure whether I was having a severe angina attack or a mild heart attack. The decision was made to keep me in the hospital for further tests.

During the following week, I had several tests including bloods, ECGs, EKO scan and culminating with an angiogram. The angiogram showed that I needed an urgent triple heart bypass operation which would be carried out at Castle Hill Hospital (CHH), Cottingham. Throughout these tests, Dr Megarry and his team kept me fully informed about what was happening.

I was transferred from YDH to CHH on January 18 and Mr Cale did the operation on January 21. After a period of recovery, I was discharged back home on January 26 (arriving at about noon). As you can see the whole process took about three weeks from start to finish.

I have nothing but praise for the consultants, doctors and nursing staff in both YDH and CHH.

R J Thomas,

Westbourne Road, Selby.

Updated: 10:42 Monday, February 11, 2002