"An unpleasant experience"

Belonging to another Health Authority I had been advised I would need to attend Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment not available at my normal care provider hospital. Initially, I was advised by my own Radiotherapy team that they had been contacted by Aberdeen stating I had missed an appointment. I was shocked as never received an appointment letter or telephone call.  It transpired that Aberdeen were using an address over 20 years old to send appointments to. This has now been rectified and after emailing their feedback team I had a productive conversation with the head of Radiotherapy and have now been reassured that the practice of not checking addresses against referrals has now been changed. Staff member only checked CHI number. I did feel concerned that not checking my address could mean that other areas of my treatment would not be properly checked.

Arriving at an unfamiliar hospital without written appointment and directions was challenging. I had been given some directions via telephone. It was an extremely long walk from the front of the hospital ( I have a struggle walking far due to side effects of chemotherapy) to the relevant department.

Once on department corridor I could see the sign for Brachytherapy but had been told to go to pretreatment area. Another very long walk but no signs as to where to go. No-one around to ask. I just wanted to turn and go home. I had travelled 3 hours to the hospital and was extremely fatigued. Luckily a friend had driven me. It was extremely daunting going into the unknown and for a procedure that was quite frightening to even think about given some previous medical issues. On arriving at pre treatment, there was no reception or directions to take a seat. I sat as was exhausted. A gentleman was about to leave this area and asked if I needed assistance. I said I was there for an appointment. He took my name and advised he would let staff know I had arrived. I confess to being quite distressed by this time and was then taken to the CT room with quite a few people(staff) there. Remember I had not met any of them before and was about to undergo a very intimate procedure. Names were given but went straight over my head. 

I was asked  name and date of birth. I raised issue of wrong address and was advised the person only checked the CHI number. A small discussion was had and I was then asked to remove my lower clothing and given a small sheet of paper to cover myself. A gown would have been a better option. Due to nature of procedure it would have been nice to have been offered a light sedative to relax me, especially given previous issues of a similar examination. I felt most uncomfortable in the surroundings especially that I was not acquainted with all the staff present and did tell a staff member that I didn't want to come back. It appeared this was quite normal and no one seemed concerned that I may find this distressing. Treatment itself did not take place after initial examination and insertion of probe and quick scan as I found it incredibly painful. 

I was advised that I would need to return the following week for 3 treatments in Brachytherapy suite. I needed to stay at the Clan centre which I booked. 

I did indeed after much soul searching return for the treatment the following week. ( Had I been local, treatment would have been once a week for 3 weeks instead of 3 in one week)  Again on my return I was extremely apprehensive 1. Because of the pain and 2 would I again be exposed to more new staff and 3 would the treatment be correct ( as they couldn't get my address right initially) . 

The two staff were friendly enough, but again no gown given. I was advised once all the equipment in place that they would leave the room to check a couple of details but would speak to me over the tannoy into room to advise what was happening. This did not happen and I was left feeling apprehensive all over again as to what was happening. I did ask at end if they had spoken to me as I had not heard anything. I was told no.

Please please do what you say! Everyone is different with varying levels of anxiety! It was horrible to be lying on a hard table half naked with no one to reassure me. I fully understand staff cannot be in room at time of treatment.

The next 2 treatments whilst still an unpleasant experience were better as I knew what to expect.

I can only hope that following my experience and advising of my journey at an unfamiliar hospital that some changes may be made to make this necessary cancer treatment slightly more pleasant and not quite so distressing for others.