Third World Medical Care... UK Heart Patient Sings Praises of Indian Hospital

A retired businessman who was told he was dying from a heart condition in 2003 was so frustrated by the health care he received in the UK that he flew more than 4,000 miles to be treated in India.

(PRWEB) September 8, 2006 -- A retired businessman who was told he was dying from a heart condition in 2003 was so frustrated by the health care he received in the UK that he flew more than 4,000 miles to be treated in India.

Stan Ayres, of Penrhyn Beach East, Penrhyn Bay, has been trying to get his debilitating heart condition sorted since being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation three years ago.

But every time he felt he was getting somewhere, more obstacles were put in the way.

"It started in 2000 when I went for a cystoscopy," explained Stan. "The doctors asked if I was in general good health, and I said I got a bit puffed going up the stairs, and from there I was referred to another doctor and put on drugs."

It turned out Stan has a heart condition which causes the upper chambers of his heart to beat excessively fast, resulting in problems with the heart's ventricles, meaning blood can't be pumped round the body properly. Nothing happened until 2003, when Stan was sent to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor for more tests.

"I did the treadmill test but that had to be terminated after about two and a half minutes because I couldn't do any more," explained Stan, who then feared the worst. "They said I had significant coronary artery disease. They told me I was dying.

"It was an awful time with a lot of worry, but I wasn't given any timescale for more tests or treatment, so I got in touch with a cardiologist in Manchester."

This would give an amazing twist to Stan's tale.

"I had an angiogram and the results of that said there was nothing greatly wrong - the treadmill tests had given a false result."

A bewildered Stan decided in April this year that enough was enough, and that he would get treatment to relieve the atrial fibrillation. Facing the prospect of a long wait on the NHS, he looked further afield, and to different types of surgery, to help the condition.

"I was in America and saw a new procedure that involved zapping the heart with electric rays after opening up the chest. I asked about this, but in the UK they ask for huge amounts of money.

"I was supposed to see a doctor in Liverpool, but he broke his foot. I tried Germany, but the hospital went on strike. I was banging my head against a brick wall!"

Eventually, Stan discovered the Wockhardt hospitals in India.

"They came back to me promptly with how much it would cost to have the treatment. They said it would be £1,800 all in - they wanted more than £10,000 in the UK."

Last month Stan and wife Christina flew out to Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai for the treatment.

"It was after midnight when we got there but there was a car waiting to take us to hospital," explained Stan. “When we got there I had a private room with two beds,TV,computer,fridge,fresh fruit juice,everything was on hand.A nurse looked after me all the time and it was kept so clean-no mention of MRSA”

Stan was also impressed with the quality of medical care he got. “The doctors there are experts from all over the world”,he said. “The hospital is an associate of Harvard University.They checked me out and said the operation would not be needed because there would be a high chance of a relapse. How many places would say that? Most would just take your money and run”

Thinking on his feet, Stan didn’t want to have a wasted journey. “I asked then to have a look at my waterworks and varicose veins, and I even had my teeth done. The operation was fantastic, with three surgeons on hand to make sure everything went well.”

After a three-week stay in India, Stan is now home and cannot sing their praises enough.“I have no regrets, the price was fantastic. I recommend that other people do this because it is so much better than the service over here.”

Wockhardt Hospitals Group has partnered with Harvard Medical International (HMI), Boston, USA, in establishing super speciality hospitals at Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkatta and Nagpur.We are a Centre of Excellence for all kinds of Joint replacements and Hip Resurfacing Surgery procedures with clinical outcomes at par with the best. Please check out our website www.wockhardthospitals.net for more details and testimonials of our recent international patients.

Joint Commission International (JCI) - the international arm of JCAHO which accredits top hospitals in USA has audited Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai and has approved it. This is a first of its kind recognition for an Indian Superspeciality hospital and confirm that at it adheres to international standards of clinical care, safe environment, medication safety, respect for rights and privacy, international infection control standards and access to dedicated well trained staff.

Wockhardt Heart Hospitals - The destination for world class cardiac care

Rich experience of over 25000 Cardiac surgeries

The Wockhardt Heart Hospitals are centers of excellence where comprehensive end-to-end cardiac care services are provided by best Cardiac Surgeons, Cardiologists and nursing Staff. With absorption of latest technological advances and commitment to highest ethical and management practices, its cardiac team has gained international recognition for their pioneering work in cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgical expertise.

·    The 1st hospital chain in the world to perform Awake Heart Bypass Surgery with Aortic Valve Replacement

·    The 1st hospital chain in Australasia region to perform Minimally Invasive Beating Heart Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

·    The 1st hospital chain in India to treat Chronic Atrial Fibrillation using Maze III procedure

·    The 1st hospital chain in India to perform Vertebral Artery Angioplasty

·    Pioneered India's first bypass surgery using endoscopic radial artery harvesting

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