Man who had heart attack thanks QA Hospital for saving life

Barrie Bradshaw wants to thank QA Hospital for the treatment he received after having a heart attack Picture: Habibur Rahman

Those were the thoughts going through the head of Barrie Bradshaw after he had a heart attack.

But now, after making a full recovery, the 58-year-old has spoken out about the staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital who he says saved his life.

Barrie spent two days in the Cosham hospital after the heart attack and said he cannot thank the staff enough.

‘When I arrived at QA I was so scared,’ he said. ‘I felt so scared I wasn’t going to come out and that I was going to die.

‘The whole thing has really affected me emotionally but the entire QA staff were just incredible.

‘When I got to hospital, I thought that was going to be it.

‘Without these people doing what they did, I wouldn’t be here.

‘From the nurses, the doctors, the tea trolley lady and even the cleaners – they were all fantastic.

‘I kept getting emotional while on the ward and the ward sister Rachael would take the time to just sit with me and make me feel better.

‘The tea trolley woman would make me a cuppa too when I got upset.

‘I couldn’t ask for more and when you consider how many people they look after, they always made sure I was okay.’

Barrie, of Hawthorn Crescent in Cosham, started feeling really sick on October 11.

He had dropped his wife Tina off to work before returning home where he suddenly fell ill.

His daughter called an ambulance and he was taken to QA Hospital.

Immediately after arriving, he was taken to surgery and had a stent inserted. He is now back home and is looking to go back to his job as a concierge next week.

Barrie added: ‘I have worked all my life and it has been really hard for me after the heart attack.

‘I used to help my wife around the house and help out with my grandson but I have had to learn to take things easy.

‘I am so used to putting everyone first and putting their needs before mine.

‘But I have had to learn to take a back seat until I make a full recovery.’

Barrie is sharing his story as part of The News’ We Love QA campaign which encourages people to talk about care and treatment they have had at QA Hospital.