"Compassionate, caring staff in Head and Neck..."

I went into Preston Royal Infirmary in July 2015 for an operation for head and neck cancer (SCC) by the surgeon and the team. The team’s record is very good, and they did a wonderful job. But while there are many excellent surgeons, one surgeon stands out for their compassion and care for all of their patients, before and during operations, but also afterwards, where the surgeon continues to monitor and support their patients progress with care, kindness and humour.

I sadly have had many years’ experience of hospital care, on my own behalf and my son’s , and in my experience the surgeons kindness and genuine caring for their patients’ wellbeing, not just their surgical outcomes but all of their lives when they are recovering from serious illness, is exceptional. The surgeon comes along to meetings with the nursing staff in the weeks and months following an operation, to see how ’their patients are coping with life and with the results of surgery. Head and neck cancer surgery can leave patients with problems eating and speaking, as well as looking not at all good, and they lways ask about these things as well as medical matters.

These are people at the lowest point in their lives, and the surgeon' help has earned their respect and I might say love. I think the surgeon and their team are an example of the NHS at its best.