I was so pleased to read the tribute to Dr Mark Pitney, head of the Sutherland Heart Clinic, and to his brilliant staff of cardiologists, anaesthetists, nurses, radiographers, administration officers and operation assistants (“The heart of the shire”, Leader, June 8).
Of all the incredible advances in medical science over the past few years, I am sure those engaged in heart surgery and post-operative processes are top of the list.
Of the 22,500 procedures since the clinic started 10 years ago, I have been a patient for four of those, which involved the insertion of four arterial stents. These operations saved my heart and therefore my life, prompting me at the same time to change my lifestyle considerably.
Dr Pitney has, apart from his many skills, an alert sense of humour. After one of the procedures he performed on me, he was doing his rounds the next day and when he reached my bedside said, “Do you have any questions - any questions at all?”. When I replied, “What is the average annual rainfall of the Kalahari Desert?”, he responded, quick as a flash with a chuckle, “Zero”.
I never checked to see if he was right, but he responded with so much confidence and disarming humour that I reckon he would have been correct.
It’s amazing how many people I know in the shire who have benefited from the clinic’s enthusiasm and expertise in the treatment of cardio-vascular disease, the number-one killer.
In my case, I was directly under the care of Dr Pitney and Dr Robert Smith. As a result of having stents inserted, I - along with several of my mates - am now a member of the “stent club”.
I hope not to graduate to the "zipper club". Quite a few of these esteemed members have had open-heart surgery and wear as a badge of honour the "zipper" scar in the middle of their chest.
Thanks to all those at the Sutherland Heart Clinic for saving so many lives. What a rewarding job you all have.
Paul Hunt, Engadine
When Dr Mark Pitney claims that, “….if you come in at 1am in the morning and need a stent you will get it in an hour”, this is no hollow boast.
I am that person. I recently arrived at Sutherland Hospital at 1.30am, artery 100 per cent blocked and struggling to breath. By 2.15am I was in the heart clinic having a stent inserted and at 3.30am was in CCU recovering.
I don’t fully understand the technology but I am glad it is there!
As important though, I’m sure, is the medical team. From arrival at casualty to discharge from CCU, I can’t praise enough the friendly and professional service my family and I received.
If you suspect a heart attack, take Dr Pitney’s advice and act immediately – it will make all the difference!
Robert Lennon, Gymea