"A visit to ED in Bunbury"

While riding my bike at about 11am, which I do almost every day, I began to feel breathless and felt a thumping and heaviness in the chest. I guessed it was my heart beat getting irregular, because I had a heart valve replaced 3 years earlier and it was similar. I went home but it did not settle after a few hours.  As both my GP and my cardiologist were overseas, my wife and I decided to go to the hospital.

We arrived just after 2pm. Within 5 minutes, the triage nurse (I can’t remember her name) had assessed me, and passed me on to a friendly receptionist for registration. Two minutes later Kristina had taken me to the rapid assessment room and started an ECG. She went to discuss it with a consultant, and because he or she was on the phone, kindly came back to explain the delay - this time bringing my wife in with her.

Soon after I was led to another room, where Win took over. There was a low buzz of discussions and activity, with monitor alarms sounding in various sections. I was made comfortable on the examination table. He attached me to monitors, inserted a needle and took blood for testing. Another nurse (sorry, no name noticed) took over, then Dr Lyndsey and a consultant came in. They had a discussion with me clearly explaining the situation, then she added a couple of medications. 

My heart rate settled quickly, which I was able to see on a second TV screen placed conveniently, then we waited for the blood test results. When these were ready, Dr Jonathon went through them with me. He finalised some discharge details, and advised me to check in with my cardiologist when she returns. He chatted warmly with me about his family. 

I was most impressed with the friendly competent service and excellent facilities, and we were walking out the doors at 5pm. 

I cannot thank everyone enough!