A Glasgow doctor who needed emergency surgery had to be persuaded to go to hospital when he took ill at home.
Paul Trafford's instinct when he felt unwell was to go to bed for a rest.
Even when he registered abnormally high blood pressure on home testing kit, the 63-year-old anaesthetist didn't want to burden the NHS.
It was only when his wife Julie Doughy, a breast cancer surgeon, put her foot down, that Paul decided to go to A&E at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
And thankfully he did, for after being checked for Covid-19 symptoms at the door, Paul swiftly received an electrocardiogram (ECG), which revealed a potentially life threatening abnormality in his heart.
Paul was blue-lighted to the Golden Jubilee where he immediately underwent life-saving surgery to have a stent inserted to widen one of his arteries, which had narrowed.
The whole process from arriving at A&E at 6.30pm to being discharged to the ward was all over in three hours.
Paul revealed his story as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde called for patients to continue using the health service for non-coronavirus related conditions.
It follows a marked reduction in cancer referrals from GPs.
There has also been a significant fall in people seeking non-coronavirus related attending emergency and minor injuries units.
It's believed anxiety surrounding the virus is making people less likely to seek medical attention.
Paul explained: “I was anxious about placing any additional pressure on the emergency department during this time, but I didn’t quite realise just how well prepared the board is when it comes to urgent treatment for non-Covid-19 patients.
“I was fully ready to go to bed and rest before my wife intervened, and with hindsight I realise how much of a bad decision that could have been.
"The care I received at QEUH and the Jubilee was second to none, and I’d like to thank everyone at the health service for their swift and professional action which may have saved my life.
“My advice to the public is definitely seek medical attention if you’re worried about symptoms.
"The capacity is there and the pathways are in place to ensure you’re seen to and cared for appropriately.”
Any patient attending urgent hospital care will be assessed and cared for via A&E and minor injury units.
People should also contact their GP with non-Covid-19 related health concerns.
Patients should call 999 immediately in the event of an emergency.
