"Recently I was invited to the Bowel..."

What I liked

Recently I was invited to the Bowel Cancer screening Unit within the Medway Maritime Hospital.

The reason being was that two bowel cancer screens, which I did at home, turned up an abnormal result.And I would need further investigation b y colonoscopy.

I arrived at the unit and was asked to take a seat.It wasn't too long before I was called into a consulting room by the screening practitioner. They went through everything that was going to happen on the day of my colonoscopy. They explained in detail with the aid of diagrams what

the colonoscope was, and what it was used for.At all times they were friendly , reassuring,

and totally professional. They made me an appointment with the Sunderland day case centre

right then and there.

At 10.30 on the 16thJuly 2010 I arrived at the Sunderland centre with my son who was looking after me for the day.I was booked in by the staff nurse,and shown to my bay in the ward.I was told that there were two people in front of me.one of the nurses came and gave me a gown and a pair of blue shorts with an opening in the back.I then got onto the trolly and within a little while I was wheeled into the operating room.Rather an informal afair,nothing like an operating theatre.

There was a monitor by the side of the trolley which the doctor used to see what they were doing.

One of the nurses adjusted my pillow so that I could also see what was happening.The doctor put a line in my hand and I was given sedation and pain relief.I was fully concious but relaxed.

The whole procedure lasted less than an hour and I didn't feel any real discomfort. even though I had lost six polyps during the procedure.polypectomy over I was wheeled back to the ward where I was allowed to rest for half an hour or so.I was then given the best tea and toast that I have had in many years.I was then allowed to get dressed and my son was phoned by one of the nurses asking him to collect me.I then left.Thank you to all the staff for your friendly and professionalism.

What could be improved

prior to going to hospital I was given a preparation to clean out the bowel.This is a very important

part of the procedure,but does it have to taste so awful.Even when flavoured with cordial.

Anything else?

I was told that the results of the biopsies would take about three weeks,but much sooner than this i mreceived a phone call for the screening practitioner to say that they had got the results back and would I like to be told over the phone what they were.I said yes and I was told that there was no cancer detected.A great weight off my mind.