"Thank you to A & E and Medical Diagnostics Centre"

I was unlucky enough to become ill when my wife and I came down from North Yorkshire to visit our daughter on Shooters Hill. In the morning of Tuesday 30th April my wife called 111 and, after a short discussion they despatched an ambulance which took my wife and I to A&E where I was quickly processed and shown to a busy but calm waiting area. I was duly called for triage check, blood tests and an ECG as my turn arose. The doctor who saw me after the testing had a student with them. After checking I was OK with it they asked the student to question me and check me before explaining all that they had done and found. This was an instructive and relaxed interlude. The doctor then questioned me themself, picking up on things I had said and probing further on occasion. They said I would need an X Ray and should report back to them when it was done. I did this and found on my return that a medical registrar was waiting to investigate further. At the end of the process they were agreed that I either had a persistent viral infection or a blood clot on the lung. At this stage it was about 5.00pm so they gave me an anticoagulant injection and asked me to return to the Medical Diagnostics Centre the following morning. When we returned I was again blood tested and ECG'd before talking to the doctor and going for a CT scan. On our return, after the doctor had received the CT scan report they called us in again and broke the news that I had a Pulmonary Embolism with a clot in each lung. They then discussed the implications, the need for further tests and the choice of treatments available. They had already spoken with my GP in North Yorkshire. later we left with a detailed letter for my GP, my first batch of tablets and a sense of having been very thoroughly examined, correctly diagnosed with a clear treatment plan in place. Throughout both days my wife and I found all staff were cheerful, friendly and courteous and able to explain clearly what they were doing and why. I was particularly impressed with the fact that in two days my condition was diagnosed and the diagnosis appropriately checked and confirmed in such a skilled and professional way. It reflects very well on your staff and the systems in place to cope with a wide range of patient needs. Thanks for putting me on the road to recovery