"Thanks to Heart Failure Team and GP Surgery"

Thank you to The Heart Failure Team and Topsham GP Surgery

In November 2022 I was taken to hospital (the Royal Devon & Exeter) by an ambulance where I was diagnosed with heart failure. I was looked after by the acute medical team until my successful cardio-version in  early December. I have already written to thank the acute medical team for the great service I received while under their care. Thereafter, I was referred to the Heart Failure Team, first at Whipton Hospital and more recently at Exmouth Hospital.

I would like to thank nurse Cherry and Cardiology Consultant Dr Lovell and other members of the team for the great care I have received in the last six months.

I have been meeting the nursing team every month and Dr Lovell as required. In both cases I felt that great care was taken to listen to my story and my symptoms, to consider and explain treatment options and agree a treatment plan as well as any actions required from me. My ECG and blood have been regularly monitored and my medication adjusted several times to optimise my care. This has left me feeling well and very grateful for the care, attention and expertise offered to me. Being in heart failure can make both patients and other family members anxious but the care provided by the Heart Failure Team has left me feeling confident that I have received the best advice and care available, giving me the best chance of survival and I am very grateful for this.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank my local GP team (Topsham GP Surgery) for their support throughout this process. Dr Kay has routinely checked my progress and contacted me when required, such as when my sodium levels dropped, while the nursing team have taken copious amounts of blood to check both renal and liver function. I have given a lot of blood over the last seven months and this has been done expertly both at the RD&E Phlebotomy Unit and by nurses at the GP clinic. Giving blood is never enjoyable but it can be done confidently, professionally and effectively, thus making the experience manageable for the patient and this was certainly my experience.

Like most branches of the NHS, I know that GP services are under great pressure right now. Indeed the earliest GP appointment locally is normally three weeks away. However, given my multiple challenges caused by the combination of a slipped disk and heart failure, I have found the receptionists and GPs (at Topsham Surgery) have done everything possible to support me when I was in crisis (especially acute pain caused by the slipped disk). This got very complicated as my pain medication reduced my sodium levels which caused problems for my heart failure treatment. When urgent attention was required, receptionists organised for Drs to call me and, when necessary, see me and, if necessary, referred me to the hospital. Although these events were traumatic at the time, I want to thank the reception staff and Dr Playfair, Dr Brittain and Dr Mohan for the careful, thoughtful, expert attention which they gave me at short notice. This made some very difficult situations manageable.

For the record, although I am on the waiting list for surgery, I am currently feeling fit, healthy and pain-free. I am also grateful to be alive with a reasonable chance of a good life for many years to come. This is in no small part thanks to all the healthcare professionals who have so carefully looked after me.

Please pass on my appreciation to everyone who has been involved in my care at both the RD&E and Topsham GP surgery.