This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Colorectal cancer care

Posted By PGB

"Colorectal cancer care"

About: General practices in Lothian Western General Hospital / General Surgery

(as the patient),

It’s hard to be a patient if you are a healthcare worker. You may have specific knowledge about conditions, but being a patient involves giving up degrees of autonomy and trusting the people looking after you. A positive bowel screening test forced me to confront symptoms I’d been having (and rationalising) for a while, & a colonoscopy confirmed my diagnosis. Timely surgery, temporary colostomy and chemotherapy later, I’m now on the recovery highway, & should be ok for the future.

My previous experiences gave me confidence in the staff in the Western, & so it proved. Nursing, portering, domestic, radiography/ology, phlebotomy staff and others have been terrific in their kindness and patient focused attitudes. Their professionalism shone through, particularly when I wasn’t so well on a few occasions. Although I knew several of the people looking after me from other circumstances, everyone was very professional and treated me as they treated others, with respect and expertise. Mr Paterson and Dr Brown were in charge of my care, but others (Dr Ho, Ms Barron, Dr Glancy for example) were fantastic in the way they dealt with me and my travails. My GP has been terrific all through my problems in the last 2 years, Dr Dunn & staff in Muirhouse Medlcal Group.  

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Jeannette Morrison, Head of Patient Experience, NHS Lothian 4 years ago
Jeannette Morrison
Head of Patient Experience,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 31/03/2020 at 10:46
Published on Care Opinion at 10:46

Dear PGB

Thank you very much for getting in touch with us at what sounds as though has been a difficult time for you, especially being a healthcare worker. Please accept my apologise for the delaying in getting back to you but we are all working incredibly hard at this challenging time.

It was lovely to read your feedback regarding how the WGH staff worked to give you the confidence to get through your treatment, hearing that they were professional and treated you with respect and expertise. It is a difficult time for the NHS at the moment so it was really lovely to read of your experiences and the key staff who were able to make a difference to your care.

I have forwarded your kind words with the staff at the WGH and have asked them to share this with the people who you have mentioned who I am sure will be delighted to read your post.

Thank you again for your feedback and best wishes for your continued recovery.

With kind regards

Jeannette

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Geraldine Marsh, Associate Nurse Director, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian 4 years ago
Geraldine Marsh
Associate Nurse Director, Western General Hospital,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 31/03/2020 at 15:31
Published on Care Opinion at 16:02

Dear PGB,

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch to share your experience of the colorectal team and the wider Western General staff. I apologise for the delay in responding to your post, I am sure you will appreciate that these are unprecedented times. It is always difficult as a healthcare professional to become a patient, I am delighted that staff were able to ease your anxiety. We always value feedback and yours has been shared with the team, on behalf of all the staff at the Western General I wish you well for your continued recovery.

Best Wishes

Geraldine

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k