"I count myself lucky to have been sent..."

What I liked

I was referred to the respiratory medicine centre in May 2010 after a suspect X-ray which turned out to be advanced lung cancer. It was a bewildering and frightening situation, but from the moment we arrived everything was done to get a diagnosis as quickly as possible. The bad news was broken to us humanely and sensitively. I was particularly lucky that the respiratory consultant to whom I was referred has developed a technique (interventional bronchoscopy) to clear an obstructed airway. This has made an enormous difference to my health and quality of life. The specialist lung nurses have been extremely helpful in answering questions and communicating with the medical team.

As part of my treatment I had radiotherapy at the Churchill. The staff were kind and efficient, the department clean, and the design of the waiting areas gives patients a sense of privacy even though there may be many people being treated at any one time.

What could be improved

The consultant oncologist I saw in the cancer clinic seemed uninterested in my case. Although their name was on the appointment letter, and it was my first appointment with an oncologist, the first person we saw knew nothing of my history. My husband had to ask her to fetch the consultant. This experience dented my confidence in the Churchill's cancer services.

The waiting room for the chest clinic was overcrowded to the point where some people were standing. The hospital needs to provide more room and more chairs.

The car park ticket machines are often out of order, making parking a stressful experience.ReferralsCancer and tumoursLung cancerRadiotherapyCleanlinessCommunicationDiagnosisPrivacyProfessionalismWaiting AreasRadiotherapyX-rayCancerRespiratory medicineX-rayConsultantsNursing staffAppointmentsOvercrowdingServiceUninterestedCar Park