A patient's personal experience of perioperative care
My name is Gilbert Wheeler and I have been an NHS patient for 66 years. This has seen me visit many hospitals across the country to receive treatment for my health problems.
My own personal experience of perioperative care has been quite extensive to include Full heart Transplant, Renal Failure, Broken Acetabulum fix requiring 19 metal pins and plate being put into my right hip. Throughout the build up to having these procedures carried out required me to look at my own state of health, before agreeing to any surgical work being done, making sure I was fully aware of what would be happening, advising of my own current health problems and conditions before any work undertaken, to look at any adverse long term effects of undergoing surgery and the quality of life that any surgery might bring by having the operation, also to discuss with my family all the various outcomes from going through any medical procedure.
Family and friends are very important when having to face any kind of medical intervention and knowing that they have the best information available to help support me was powerful in my recovery. Also having a good relationship with my own GP and practice nurse helped facilitate my recovery.
Perioperative care is very important for a patient about to undergo any form of clinical surgery and making sure that everything has been done to minimise any shortness in quality of life after surgery. Screening of all patients is important before undergoing surgery.
Since my diagnosis of a heart condition way back in 1990, (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and subsequent full heart transplant in 2016) I have been involved with patient engagement, patient support groups and patient participation roles, both at local and national levels. This has enabled me to represent and speak up for the patient. Throughout my time being involved in these various roles, I have learned and helped to educate, not only other patients but clinical staff too.
I now sit on health service steering groups, looking at best practices, data and funding for new ideas in supporting the cardiovascular patient, now and in the future.
Gil Wheeler, Trustee of Cardiovascular Care Partnership, patient arm of British Cardiovascular Society, NHS Clinical Reference Group, Cardiac Services
CPOC have an abundance of content and resources available on the topics touched upon in Gilbert's blog. Please see links below to information that may help you on your perioperative journey.