• “THE next few weeks will not be a good time to suffer a medical emergency,” I told myself following the announcement of a UK emergency in response to the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

As if on cue, on April 4 I fell victim to a stroke, my son called 999.

The ambulance arrived within minutes and deposited me at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queens Square.

Less than five hours later I had been examined, scanned twice, diagnosed, administered emergency treatment and transferred to Charing Cross Hospital for further treatment.

There, a highly trained medical team performed a complicated high-tech thrombectomy procedure in order to remove a large blood clot.

Three days later I was on my way home having made “an excellent recovery”.

Despite my earlier cynicism, I am living breathing proof that if you are unfortunate enough to have a medical emergency, this is probably a particularly good time to have one.

The NHS has the capacity and is ready, willing and able to do whatever is required, so do give them a call if you are taken seriously ill.

DON RYAN
Hadley Street, NW1