We know this can be a challenging and daunting time for many patients and that good quality, reliable information is invaluable in helping you prepare for a procedure at one of our hospitals.

Because of that, we are gathering together first person accounts by patients for patients on these pages.  This way, you can read about what to expect from someone who has been through it before you – someone who knows the anxieties and questions you might be dealing with.  Choose from the personal accounts under the 'Coming in to hospital' heading.

In addition we have talked to other patients about how their treatment changed their lives. These are listed below under 'Real patients' stories'.

If you have any views on these pages or are interested in writing an account of your time in hospital, then please do contact us.

Coming in to hospital:

• Sleep clinic
• Cystic fibrosis
• Staying on the ward with asthma

• The difficult asthma protocol

Real patients' stories:

• Resetting the heart's rhythm
• A positive outlook
• Receiving a heart transplant
• Recovering with an 'artificial heart'
• Transplant for a cystic fibrosis patient
• Long-term intensive care
• Paediatric cardiac surgery

• Cancer stories

• Keyhole valve replacement surgery
• Pacemaker for a two-year-old

Transplant art project:

In 2008, artists Tim Wainwright and John Wynne spent their time at Harefield Hospital interviewing and photographing transplant patients, their relatives and members of staff. 

You can hear the patients' accounts on their transplant log website.