A WEST Devon resident has described the excellent treatment his wife received at Derriford Hospital which saved her life as 'a hallmark of the great and good in this country'.

Bob Grylls from Bere Alston praised the 'medical miracle' which occurred after his wife Shirley suffered a massive heart attack and was minutes from death.

He highlighted the speed of the paramedic in coming to assess his wife's condition after she complained of chest pains, which spread to her arms and hands, and the ambulance in getting her to hospital.

'Shirley was taken to A&E and then the Cardiac Catheter Lab where a team of attendants rapidly diagnosed the extent of her condition,' said My Grylls.

'Her aorta, the main artery to her heart, was blocked in two locations and Shirley only had minutes left to live.

'The medical team, led by chief consultant Dr Haywood, unblocked the artery and her near-terminal condition was averted just in time.'

Mr Grylls said the family was kept well informed and the conduct of the staff was 'exemplary'.

His wife was discharged five days later and her condition, although still very weak, was a remarkable transformation from how she was less than a week before.

'It is a true testament to the dedication and professionalism given to Shirley at the hospital during her desperate ordeal,' added Mr Grylls.

'Everyone on Torcross Ward, from Dr Haywood down to the most junior of staff, should be commended on how they treated Shirley during this traumatic time.

'Sadly, not all patients may have been as fortunate as Shirley but suffice it to say we witnessed every patient receiving the same, very high, exacting standard of care and attention.

'The ward was always kept immaculately clean and nothing was too much trouble for these front-line people as they all went about their daily business with a pleasant smile on their faces.'

The Bere Alston resident added that until now he had had no first-hand experience of how the NHS coped in an emergency.

'I can unequivocally state that the excellent treatment my wife received at Derriford Hospital is a hallmark of the great and good in this country and let us not forget that all this treatment is provided free to the patient.'

He expressed the family's 'heartfelt' thanks to everyone involved in saving his wife's life: 'We truly believe we witnessed a miracle happen,' he said.