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Breast Cancer

Posted By composeryf99

"Breast Cancer"

About: Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) / Breast care and breast surgery

(as the patient),

I had a mammogram aged 70 and was called for further examination and a biopsy which diagnosed cancer. I had no symptoms  so was obviously shocked at this outcome. However the whole process from diagnosis to treatment was swift and all the staff at the hospitals were amazing, so caring and kind.   I have recently had my 'one year on' mammogram and have not been called back (so relieved!)

I would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who treated me.

The only part of it all that could have been better was if the radiotherapy treatment was nearer, travelling to Exeter Hospital for some people is hard, although it is good that you can park there for free if you are having radiotherapy.

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Responses

Response from Alison Knowlton, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 6 days ago
Alison Knowlton
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 29/10/2025 at 09:51
Published on Care Opinion at 10:02

Thank you so much for your feedback on being able to park for free at the Royal Devon during your treatment and I am glad to hear you have had a good outcome recently. We offer the following concessions also -

Blue Badge holders: Simply take your Blue Badge to a reception desk on entering the hospital, and your vehicle registration will be registered for free parking. You will not need to do anything further on leaving the car park.

Next of kin or registered carer for those with long-stay relatives (long stay is 7 days or more): Speak to the team on the ward and they be able to help for suitable arrangements to be put in place.

Registered carers with a Devon Carers card: Present your card to a reception desk on entering the hospital, and your vehicle registration will be registered for free parking.

Patients admitted directly from ED or clinics (with an overnight stay): The ward team will arrange this for you.

Volunteers and volunteer drivers: Our volunteer coordinator will arrange this for you.

Parents of children (under 18) who are an inpatient at hospital overnight: Register your vehicle at reception or at Bramble ward.

Resident parent/parents whose babies are being cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Speak to the team on the unit and they will arrange this for you.

Patients visiting on a regular basis for treatment I.e. Oncology, Haematology, Renal and Diabetes departments: When you attend your department reception as normal, please give the reception staff your vehicle registration number and vehicle details and they will add your vehicle to the exemption list.

Relatives and registered carers of patients being cared for on the end-of-life care pathway: Speak to the ward team and they will arrange this for you.

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Response from Hannah Vodden, Radiotherapy Helper, Radiotherapy Team, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 6 days ago
Hannah Vodden
Radiotherapy Helper, Radiotherapy Team,
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 29/10/2025 at 13:47
Published on Care Opinion at 14:06

Thank you for your feedback and It is great to hear have felt well looked after. We understand it can be frustrating that your Radiotherapy was a distance from home and we take on your feedback. The reasons behind this is due to the type of Radiotherapy you would have been receiving and with there only being 3 RT machines in Exeter and 1-2 in Torbay for the whole of Devon.

We thank you for your positive and constructive feedback.

Best Wishes

Hannah

Radiotherapy Team, Exeter

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Response from Suzie Avery, Lead Breast and Breast Reconstruction CNS (Eastern Services), Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist Team (Eastern Services), Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 5 days ago
Suzie Avery
Lead Breast and Breast Reconstruction CNS (Eastern Services), Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist Team (Eastern Services),
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 30/10/2025 at 17:05
Published on Care Opinion at 17:05

picture of Suzie Avery

Dear composeryf99,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. I am so pleased that you have had a positive experience and that you found the team 'amazing, caring and kind'. We certainly strive to ensure all of our patients feel well cared for and supported, and I will be sure to share your feedback with the breast care team.

I am delighted for you that your mammogram was clear, and appreciate what a relief that must have felt.

I wish you well with your continued good recovery and thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us.

Kind regards

Suzie Avery (Lead Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist)

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