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"Breast Cancer Abysmal Care"

About: Western General Hospital / Edinburgh Breast Unit

(as the patient),

I had surgery in 2019. I have no praise whatsoever for my surgeon, the ward I had surgery on or my oncologist. The radiotherapy department were fantastic.  I was advised prior to surgery that everything wouldn’t be 100% right but advised don’t worry we will fix it. Afterwards the plastic surgeon had left and I got comments from my bc surgeon saying  I have seen worse - I don’t even know what to comment about that?

Oncologist didn’t even know what type of bc I had, they wanted to remove my ovaries because of the type of bc I had and smiled at me when telling me so. There was an uncomfortable silence after they said that and looked at my notes for a few minutes so they could look for what type I had. They didn’t even know. How could I trust someone to give me advice when they don’t even know what I have? Also fat transfer after initial surgery I was rescheduled and put behind another patient due to, what I believe to be favouritism of other patient. I found this to be totally unprofessional and not good given it was the first anniversary of my dad dying. 

I needed routine that day to keep me going. Sent me on a downward spiral of upset. Also in ward for initial surgery I advised I may struggle to get someone to take me home but was reassured that this would be dealt with. It wasn’t. My dad who was dying of cancer at the time had to struggle with my bags as I couldn’t carry them It was terrible, Also in ward I was hardly given any coffees or tea and rarely offered biscuits with them. Just a generally terribly awful, ridiculous, experience which should have not occurred. I had so little energy after surgery to speak up at the time. Just an awful experience throughout apart from radiotherapy department who kept me upbeat despite me struggling to walk due to ascites caused by low blood protein and my dad dying in the middle of radiotherapy.

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Responses

Response from Emma Childs, Clinical Breast Nurse Practitioner, Breast Unit, Western General Hospital 9 months ago
Emma Childs
Clinical Breast Nurse Practitioner, Breast Unit,
Western General Hospital
Submitted on 12/07/2023 at 13:48
Published on Care Opinion at 14:04


I am very sorry for your experience within the Edinburgh Breast Unit. It may be helpful to direct you to the Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian who can investigate your concerns further.

Kind Regards

Emma Childs

Interim Nurse Consultant- Oncology

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Response from Mariska Vernon-Stroud, Patient Experience Team Lead, Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian 9 months ago
Mariska Vernon-Stroud
Patient Experience Team Lead, Patient Experience Team,
NHS Lothian

I gather feedback from patients to recognise good practise and supporting improving services in NHS Lothian.

Submitted on 12/07/2023 at 16:16
Published on Care Opinion on 13/07/2023 at 08:21


Dear Teetee99,

I wanted to thank you for sharing your story, and I am very sorry to hear about your experience and the impact it had on you. Unfortunately as your experience was in 2019 this is out with the timescale where we are able to investigate through the Patient Experience Team. Please be reassured that your story has been shared with the team to support any areas for learning.

Kind regards,

Mariska Vernon-Stroud

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Response from Claire Palmer, Associate Nurse Director, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian 9 months ago
Claire Palmer
Associate Nurse Director, Western General Hospital,
NHS Lothian
Submitted on 12/07/2023 at 16:18
Published on Care Opinion on 13/07/2023 at 08:21


Dear Teetee99,

Thank you for your feedback. I am so sorry to hear of your experience.

Please be assured that we will share your experience with the teams for reflection and learning.

Kind regards

Claire

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