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Open Letter to The Cardiac Catheter Team,

Frimley Park Hospital

I was a patient in the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory last Monday and overnight. By filling an angiogram cancellation “slot”, my medical problem took just fifteen days from diagnosis to fix! By any standards, that’s impressive and you can imagine how delighted I am.

However, my main purpose in writing is to add my personal testimony on your department as a whole. Before retiring, my work involved managing a large team in a demanding operational role and I have also conducted in-depth safety audits, world-wide. I can’t claim to be familiar with medical practices or the hospital environment, but I can recognize “a centre of excellence” when I see it. I cannot recall ever seeing a better group of well-trained, conscientious individuals, working as a focused, well co-ordinated team, and clearly happy to provide mutual assistance. Above all, I was impressed by everyone’s respect and regard for the patient.

In summary, your team was professional, efficient, considerate, and kind. Whilst this might stem, in part, from a selective recruiting regime, a good team is not formed overnight; it has to be trained, managed, and well-led, to bring out the very best in people. I congratulate everyone; you should be very proud of your exemplary achievements.

My sincere thanks to everyone within the department.