OPINION

A word of thanks to health services

Dear Sir,

I am writing to compliment and express my sincere thanks to the Greek public health service on the excellent treatment I received recently as a visitor and tourist from England. We have heard a lot in the press about the crisis in Greece and how it is affecting public services.

However, I must say that the treatment I received from well-trained and experienced staff was of the highest standard, speedy, caring and efficient.

My wife and I flew into Athens airport at mid-day on the 1st of August, intending to take a ferry to Patmos. Whilst on the flight I had experienced significant visual disturbance in my left eye. On landing, I went immediately to the airport health center where I was treated by a skilled team of paramedics. They tested my blood pressure which was very high (at 187 over 120) and also examined my eye. They enabled me to relax and gradually reduce my blood pressure. Helpfully, they helped us to telephone our Greek friends in Athens as our mobile phones had no reception.

We then took a taxi to the hospital recommended by the paramedics – G. Gennimatas, Mesogeion 154. I went immediately to the emergency clinic for eye patients in Building 1. Arriving there, the very helpful staff brought me in to see the eye specialist within 20 minutes. This is excellent service indeed. My eye was examined and I was found to have a torn retina which required immediate surgery. The optical surgeon performed laser surgery then and there. On my return, I went to see a top specialist eye surgeon in Harley Street, London, for a check up, who said the treatment had been a complete success and that he, himself, could not have done a better job.

My thanks then to wonderful caring and professional staff at the G. Gennimatas Eye Clinic and the care and treatment they have given me, even encouraging me to return for two further check-ups before the return flight to London. At no stage were we troubled by issues of payment or nationality. I do hope that in Britain such treatment would be replicated for all EU citizens.

I remain for ever grateful.

Yours faithfully,
Richard Sachse
United Kingdom

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