"Emergency and Cardiology departments"

I was admitted May 2025 after suffering a cardiac episode whilst out at dinner. This wasn’t something I’d ever had happen before and an incredibly stressful/scary experience 

The two paramedics who assisted me were incredible and kept talking to me through the whole process, ensuring they were explaining everything as they go but also making me feel as comfortable as possible. They got everything under control before taking me to RPH emergency department but we’re talking and keeping me distracted on the way which I really appreciated.

As it was a Friday evening, the emergency department was pretty full but the team there were great. They got me through onto the ward fairly quickly and were openly communicating with what was happening. I had a friend who I was out with and they made sure they were able to get through and be with me the whole time and kept checking in on us both. Dr Darcie was on duty and she was outstanding. She came to tell me what was happening and spoke in such a calm and caring manner. None of the conversations felt rushed and she made every effort to understand what happened as well as making some lighthearted conversation to ease the mood. I had a couple of preliminary scans done whilst down in ED and everyone involved was so kind and supportive through the whole process. They were openly explaining what was happening and keeping me fully informed every step of the way.

On Saturday morning I was moved to the Cardiology department for further monitoring and tests. The team received me into the cardiology ward were so kind and instantly made me feel comfortable as I settled in there. They were making conversation and joking as we were doing observations and getting apparatus set up and just made me feel at ease as soon as I got onto the ward. Each nurse made an effort to stop by, even when not doing obs, just to see how I was going and have quick little catch ups so I never felt alone on the ward. I was moved to a different room whilst on the ward but at no point was it ever a problem. The nurses were great through the whole experience and it never felt like they were too rushed or that I would be a burden to ask for assistance with anything. Heidi who I spent most of my time with on the cardiology ward, was incredible. She came in to introduce herself and stood to just have a normal conversation with me for a while just chatting and joking. Each time she stopped by the room, she made an effort to have a chat and see how everything was going and make sure I was okay. Even after I had been moved across the ward and she had a few days off, she made an effort to pop her head in just to chat and see how I was going.

Not only with the nurses, but the entire team of specialists and doctors made me feel so comfortable too. Dr Richard oversaw most of my care and was extremely communicative through the whole thing. He made sure I knew exactly what was happening, how everything happened, and what the next steps looked like at each stage through the process. There was a lot of information to take in but he explained it all in a way which was easy to understand despite the complexities of the situation. He explained everything so calmly so as not to raise stress or worry but show concern with what was happening. The other specialists and doctors who assisted through the process also made an effort to make me feel comfortable and would say hi as passing through the ward. 

I still have more post op care and follow ups to go through but believe the team at RPH have put me in the best possible position moving forward where I know what’s happening and what to expect next. Having been in and out of hospital a few times before, I have had some varied experiences but the team here from the paramedics right through to the ED, cardiology, and specialist teams were second to none through the entire process.