"Follow-up colonoscopy"

I had a cancerous bowel polyp removed at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy several years ago and was put on a surveillance programme to monitor the condition of my bowel.

I had a follow-up colonoscopy a year later and the next was due three years after that, but despite a number of reminders through my GP I didn't get an appointment until nearly four years had passed.

 This caused me quite a lot of anxiety. When I arrived for the appointment one of the nurses explained that there had been a major service reorganisation which had led to delays, and that things were now getting back on track.

I have now had the next colonoscopy and the report on its findings. All the people I interacted with on the day were polite, friendly and helpful. Not so good was having to sit in a waiting room that was too hot for an hour before being seen. Although done under sedation the procedure itself was uncomfortable and at times painful but I'm not sure that could have been avoided. The nurses who performed it were reassuring throughout, as were the nurses in the recovery room, who explained clearly what would happen next. The one shortfall was information on what would be a good diet in the days following the procedure.