On Boxing Day 2012, I was admitted to Dorset County Hospital with a serious heart condition.

To cut a long story short, I survived this experience and, after spending a month in DCH, I am now making a slow recovery.

During my stay, I was in the intensive care unit, the coronary care unit and Maud Alexandra ward.

I feel that a large part of my recovery was due to the exemplary care I received from the medical staff on these wards, particularly the nurses. Nothing was too much trouble for them and I never heard one of them complain even though they often worked on after their shift had finished in order to complete tasks. Not only that but they had a sense of humour and worked brilliantly as a team.

I would also like to say that the food was excellent, essential for a good recovery – well done kitchen staff.

Both my wife and I feel that the quality of nursing I received – the professionalism, dedication and friendship of the nurses – played an essential part in my recovery. The media often presents a picture of uncaring, dissatisfied and disillusioned nurses. I did not find this to be the case.

To all the medical staff in DCH – thank you for what you did for me. I feel that I left some friends behind at the end of my stay.

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