"I would like to thank all the staff concerned for doing a great job"

The operation seemed to go well. I was very pleased with the operation and the care I received from hospital staff. According to my surgeon, my recovery is also going well. I was invited to attend a cardiac rehabilitation group, which I am doing. I have also been for regular blood tests at another hospital, and they have now referred me to my GP for these checks as my blood INR readings have stabilised. I have to take warfarin every day.

I would like to thank all the staff concerned at the Northern General Hospital Sheffield for doing a great job. My only concern was the length of time it took from the initial referral by my GP (December 2012) to actually having the operation (April 2014)

I also have 2 suggestions for improvements at the hospital. One is to get better food. I think it really important to try and have more healthy food options in hospitals. The other is for more support to be available after the operation for patients who might find it difficult to deal emotionally and psychologically with an operation and the impact it has on their lives. This could be both from voluntary groups (like the excellent Sheffield Open Heart Club group in Sheffield| (SHOC)) and from professional sources. Whilst patients can always ask for help, some may not find that easy. I saw someone from the SHOC group when I went in for my operation, but I felt it was just as important to see someone afterwards when its often hard to see beyond the immediate difficulties and pain.