"Prostate Cancer"

I am in my seventies, and in good health.

Here is a history of my diagnosis of prostate cancer.

March: Blood test high PSA 6. 10 referred by my GP to Urology Dept at Leicester General hospital.

May: Appointment with Consultant #1. Recommended a biopsy.

May: TRUS biopsy. No cancer found. 2/12 pins. PSA test in 6 months.

December: Blood test

January: Appointment with Consultant #2. Appointment cancelled by LGH

April: Revised appointment Consultant #2. PSA 8. 5. They were very concerned at the increase in PSA, and did not know why the appointment had been delayed. Transperineal biopsy arranged.

May: Pre assessment for surgery day care LGH. not given at date for surgery do to a shortage of beds.

August: 33 wks after the blood test I have the biopsy.

September: 36 wks. Meeting with Consultant #3 gleeson score 4+3 I have prostate cancer!

September: MRI scan

September: Bone scan

September: Appointment with Consultant #3. For results of scans, to find if the cancer has spread. Appointment cancelled.

September: Revised appointment Consultant #4. Good news localised cancer of the prostate. T2.

September: (9 months, ) MDT meeting to recommend treatment options.

I then received a telephone call to explain to me the treatments available. Treatments offered robotic surgery, or radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

In view of the time taken to diagnose my cancer, the lack of personal contact. I have seen 4 different consultants, and a nurses to discuss my treatment options. I decided to seek a second opinion from a private prostate clinic. The outcome is, I shall be having my prostate removed in November in a private clinic.

I have been fortunate to be able to afford private health.

In my experience of life, one of the keys running a successful business is customer service. If you do not offer the customer a good service you do not have any customer and your business goes bust.

I sure you will agree the care I have received from the NHS is far below the level of care you strive to achieve.