"Outstanding care for breast reconstruction"

I had lipo-modelling and scar revision of my reconstructed breast in February 2024. The care, friendliness and support of the entire team was outstanding.

Every single staff member displayed warmth and compassion, really thought about my needs, respected my dignity and explained very clearly what they were doing and answered any questions.

I was also impressed with the voluntary 'hand holder' who came and sat in the pre-theatre waiting room and chatted to me to keep my nerves at  bay.

Everyone had a lovely caring manner.

Yesterday I went to Dressings Clinic and the service there was also outstanding. The nurse who changed my dressings had stepped in from another role to help out as, due to a member of staff being off, the clinic was running late. Having completed her own work, she took on more before taking her lunch break, so that patients didn't have to keep waiting. Despite probably being hungry and ready for a break, she was kind and friendly and there was no sense of being rushed. She had a lovely manner.

I also asked the breast care nurse to come and assess some new surgical bras and support shorts I had bought to confirm they were suitable for use. She is outstanding in her consistent very high level of care, compassion, patience and reassurance. 

QVH is truly an amazing hospital in terms of what it is able to do in breast reconstruction and in the wonderful caring attitude of the staff. There are no exceptions to the extremely high standards of the staff - even the man who sold me a roll of scar tape in the pharmacy oozed warmth, friendliness and compassion. I feel very lucky to have had this facility to help me through my breast cancer journey.

Also impressive is the helpful information provided on the QVH website about where your responsible adult comes to pick you up from discharge, where they can park, how to get to that part of the hospital, what café facilities are available if needed, maps showing the layout. This all made planning much easier and avoided stress on the day.