"We spent the rest of the time waiting in waiting rooms"

This story has been posted by Healthwatch Tameside on behalf of a member of the public. We have their details and will forward any comments to them. They said…

I offered to take my friend to her appointment about a breast lump. She is 83, not fit, with short-term memory problems. I am just 80 and able to get about reasonably well. The letter that I was given, about the appointment, was the 2nd letter, due to a cancellation the week before. It said register at MacMillan Suite or Hartshead building. I opted for South entrance as I had no idea where the MacMillan Suite was.

We registered early due to parking problems at 10am. Had a coffee and then asked where to go. We were taken, with a mobile for my friend, right across to the Ladysmith. A new suite with parking opposite. Arrived 11am, time of appointment.

We then spent the rest of the time either waiting in waiting rooms, seeing the doctor and having mammogram and scan, and eventually about 1pm back to MacMillan Suite to wait for results.

All this time we had not been able to get food or drink. From 1pm until 3pm when we were at last told by the doctor that all was well and we could go. During this time I spoke to the sister and said we had been unable to get food or drink as the vending machine was not working and the café was closed. She ordered a food packet for us both and gave us a most welcome cup of tea. This was about 2pm. We were unable to finish the parcels and I offered the sandwiches left to other people who had waited with us all day.

Time in hospital 5 hours.

I did wonder if the first letter had information on waiting time and whereabouts the MacMillan Suite was and there was some mention along the way about bringing with you packed lunch and drink. As my friend has the short-term memory loss this could have been so. At the end of the day though, we could have gone straight to MacMillan Unit and parked right across from it.

Why has the MacMillan Suite been put across at Ladysmith when every patient has to go over to Hartshead for mammogram, scan and bloods? Strange.