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RE: Royal Marsden Hospital, Excellent care?
Hello Dears,
Sorry about the length but, I want to share this with you
On the 10th of October, I was advice by my GP after a consultation with the breast cancer nurse at UCH hospital where I was seen the 19th of September for a particular consultation, (although I am a Royal Marsden patient), to have CT lung scan which was booked for me at the Royal Marsden on the 12th October at 9:30. My GP and the breast cancer unit at the UCH suggested the convenience of being seen at the RMH as they have my completely medical history.
On the 12 of October, when I arrived to the hospital, I was told that the appointment was cancelled. I insisted to be seen on that day and I waited over two hours. The staff did not keep me informed about what was happening, my companion had to ask the staff several times was going to happen because at no time the staff came to me or call me to let me know the situation.
After two hours, a consultant saw me and told me he thought it wasn't necessary to have a CT scan and I would be seen within 3 weeks.
When I arrived home, around 2:30, I found a letter telling my, that my appointment was cancelled. This letter was writing and posted on the 11th of October so, there was no way I could possibly have received the letter in time, and they didn’t contact me in any other way in spite having my mobile phone number to prevent a waste of journey. If I had an evening appointment, it would have made a different but no in a very early one, even so, it would be too late.
The late cancellation of my appointment that it was without explanation “The consultant has reviewed the letter from your family doctor, and a service at a different hospital would be more appropriate for you.” even when I arrived to the hospital.
It could be that the consultant considered better for me to be seen in another hospital, but the fail to explain this to me both, in the letter and in person.
The letter I received give very little information about why this appointment was “no appropriate” and by which consultant also, the letter was sign by the Referal Officer but the signature was not clear.
Being already very stressed and anxious about the situation, the way I’ve been treated added to my distress, if the staff would have come to inform me about how long it would be before I would be seen or, if I would be seen at all, that would have been reassuring.
I felt that the whole situation has been handle very unprofessional way and, the wording of the letter was insensitive with the little thought of sending it just one day before. I feel very unsure about the future course of my follow-ups as, I can’t be sure to which hospital I should attend as the letter says “a service at a different hospital”.
xx
It happens, no matter where you are treated. There has to be some give and take.
When I was Beeing treated at Brighton they canceled a heart scan that had been booked then when I got there blamed me sd I'd rung the day before and cancelled it ugh no I didn't why do u think I'm standing here now after waiting so long for my apt my oh rung onc sec and pals team I was seen whithin the hr all hos make mistakes some worse than others
What a horrible day! I hope you are feeling a bit better now.
When you are rested tomorrow perhaps you can give your bcn and/or GP a ring explain what's happened and ask them to sort out who and when you should see next, it is difficult enough without the aded uncertainty. It is a great shame that this has happened but try not to let it put you off,unfortunately these things happen even in good institutions. Hopefully it can be sorted quickly for you.
Best wishes, Julie x
http://www.pharmacynews.eu/hospital-industry/top-cancer-hospital-is-accused-of-confusing-patients-about-disease-evening-standard-london-england
Ooops!
Lets hope they do take it on board.
Hope things are better for you today and you've managed to get another appt sorted xx
Hello ladies,
Finally I will have a CT scan at the RM this Thursday, the truth is I am really scared and frightened.
I went to my GP 2day and, she thinks it's very important for me to have this test done which I find even more scary. Also she believes I should change hospitals, she recommended me UCLH and, although my impressions the times I've been in the Breast Cancer Unit are very positive, I can't say the same about the rest of the hospital. I am feeling quite stressed out and I don't know what to do. Could you pls recommend a hospital to me or tell me about your experiences?
xxx
No so happy but still nipple
Many appointment letters from my local hospital are worded in a very rude way.
I got one for a bone desity test (I'm on anastrozole) saying that I had not replied to a previous letter and if I did not respond to this one I would be 'discharged to the care of my GP' (they used capital letters).
I phoned and said that actually I had never received the first letter they claimed to have sent. - I got no apology, no nothing, they just assumed it was my fault. Got the appointment OK but was still p***ed off.
I can't agree with ellticks that "it happens".
Yes it does - mistakes and misunderstandings will always occur when fallible humans are involved - but that isn't the point.
When mistakes are made or we receive sub-standard treatment we are entitled to an explanation and probably, to an apology. I think it's important to try not to get overwrought so that we end up being rude etc - however upset or angry we feel but if we are not happy, to speak to the most senior person we can find and if this doesn't get the response that we'd hoped for, send an e-mail or better still, write a letter. (check the web site or ring up if you don't know who to write to)
If you don't get a reply, send a copy of your letter/e-mail to a more senior person . I have done this in the past and always had a positive response -eventually.
I hope by doing this that other people will be spared the poor experience that I have had - and it also means I feel better for having done something rather than just whinged to my OH or felt upset.
It is in all of our interests NOT to accept poor quality or low standards of care or communication- surly there have been enough recent examples in the NHS and re nursing homes etc where people ought to have complained much earlier?
Happynipple,
Sorry I can't help re UCHL but following your experience at Marsden it p0robably is an idea to be seen elsewhere if you've lost confidence in them. I hope all goes as well as possible,let us know how you get on, Julie x
I have had what I regards as a first rate service at Charing Cross Hospital, but I had a pm from someone saying they had gone elsewhere because their experience there was terrible (guess it's horses for courses).
I'm part of a small informal support group for stage 4 BC peeps formed by JulieD (above), and a few of the us have ditched Brighton,
but for someone with stage 3 I'm sure they would be fine.