I am writing to (Northland DHB CEO Nick Chamberlain) thank you for the fantastic patient care that I have just received.
On the afternoon of Wednesday March 5, I had an appointment with my GP, Dr John Bradley, having experienced some light-headedness, shortness of breath and occasionaldizziness for a few weeks. He diagnosed an abnormally low heart rate and complete heart block.
I was immediately transferred to the A&E department of Kaitaia Hospital, and, following a chest X-ray and other diagnostics, doctors confirmed my GP's diagnosis and arranged with Auckland City Hospital for me to have a cardiac pacemaker fitted. I was then transferred to the general ward for an overnight stay.
At 8.30am on Thursday I was collected by a team from Life Flight and taken by St John ambulance to Kaitaia airport, transferred to Auckland airport by air ambulance and then transferred to the cardiac unit at Auckland City Hospital by St John ambulance. On Friday afternoon I had surgery to have the pacemaker implanted, under local anaesthetic. On Saturday morning I was discharged, and I was home in Mangonui on Saturday afternoon.
It is difficult to express my gratitude for this excellent service and the kind and efficient care that I received throughout this worrying time.
Please can you pass on my thanks to all your staff and colleagues at the Northland and Auckland District Health boards, Top Health, Life Flight and St John ambulance.
