"Care after heart attack was almost all excellent"

In Feb 2024 I was out playing golf and my chest was sore. I thought I had a chest infection but after two bouts of serious chest pain within two days, I decided to go to my doctor.

I attended Hospital Hill Surgery in Dunfermline and the doctor I saw was amazing. She called an ambulance and got me taken to A&E in the Victoria Hospital. I was seen there and dismissed with assurances it wasn't my heart that was causing the pain. I phoned the surgery a few days later and after explaining that no bloods were taken my doctor was seriously concerned and advised me to phone 999 should I get any chest pains.

The next week, my doctor got me taken into the hospital to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic who done a thorough investigation and admitted me to the coronary care unit, ward 23 I think. The staff in this ward were magnificent as was the cardiologist. I remained there for 3 days when I was then moved to Ninewells Hospital for further investigations.

When in the ward, I was well looked after by the nursing staff and can't thank them enough as it was my 60th birthday when I was there, and they got me a cake and made me a card.

All the staff in Ninewells were excellent apart from one doctor who I think should not be allowed to look after people as they were rude not only to me but also the staff beside them.

I was taken down for an angiogram to see what was wrong with my heart and the staff there were excellent too. There was one nurse, I wish I could remember her name, was absolutely fantastic with me.

After completing the Angiogram the doctor informed me that he didn't know whether stents could do the work or if I would need to go to Edinburgh for a bypass. This doctor was very thorough and he spoke to others and it was decided to try with stents. He managed to get me done the same day so I could be discharged the following day.

For weeks after this surgery I have attended the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline. I was being seen by the heart nurse Annie and she was fantastic. After many changes to my medication we have finally got to a point where I no longer get chest pains and I am back to playing golf three times a week although I am not back to carrying my clubs yet.

Overall, the coronary care teams that have looked after me were excellent. The only complaints I have is with A&E for sending me out without carrying out all tests and that doctor in Ninewells who should change their job away from caring for people.