"An exceptional service"

I was referred from Russells Hall under Mr Kumar (consultant) after a colorectal tumour was removed (by Prof Ishaq). Chemo and radiotherapy was recommended to reduce the chances of cancer returning.

First seen by Dr Zachariah March 2025, and he explained the full picture and treatment options. He was clear, serious and allowed time for thoughts and discussion. I opted for 5 weeks of chemorad. A special mention to Dr Zachariah's nurse assistants - one was Vicky who was just so helpful and friendly, the other I have forgotten her name but she was just the same.

The 25 days of chemorad at New Cross was not what I was expecting. The staff were all welcoming, friendly, accommodating without exception. Reception staff were very good at making sure I went to each place in the Deansley Centre at the right time (chemo, radio, and bloods). On the first day I was late and slightly panicking due to peak-time traffic so I phoned ahead, but the receptionist assured me that I would be seen and that there was no need to panic or rush. They made sure I collected the parking pass each time too. As a first point of contact they were very good!

In each of the Linac machines (2-5) the nurses (are they nurses/technicians?) the staff were really really great. I was treated each time within ten minutes - sometimes early if I arrived early. They handled the process very professionally and with gentle care and always always with a welcoming smile. I think it's important to note how lovely they were as I had little experience of hospital treatment prior to this and certainly no experience of chemorad, and the machines are quite daunting. They took time to answer my questions, they gave advice and they never ever rushed. This applies to every single person in all those Linac machine rooms. My gratitude to each one of them cannot be overstated.

I also want to mention another member of staff - a cleaner. I was on a late appointment and it was quiet, but I had run out of water to drink. I asked the cleaner for more water and she immediately dropped what she was doing to get me a drink. She was as professional as any of the nurses and doctors - I think non-medical staff need to be praised. They keep the areas scrupulously clean when we are not there.

In a time when all we hear in the media is how bad things are with the NHS it is heartening to know that the Deansley Centre can still deliver an exceptional service to cancer patients. I don't for a moment doubt that budgets are stretched and staffing and provision is difficult throughout the NHS, but my experience has shown me that the Deansley Centre manages to give the lie to what we see in the media that we the public and patients are meant to believe. Thank you all very much.