"Poor service"

I was referred to Lincoln Gynaecology Oncology department following an abnormal smear and was invited to attend for a colposcopy.

The nurse practitioner doing the colposcopy was quite nice and helpful but there were some complications and I needed someone to come and have a look and take some biopsies.

I was told at the end of the appointment that I had cancer, and was given the card of a Macmillan nurse. I was introduced to them whilst I was reeling from the shock and being weighed and measured. They told me that they would call me a week on Monday and if I had any questions, I was to call her.

I had a CT scan in the intervening week, and when the following Monday came around and no phone call, I decided to contact the Macmillan nurse myself.

I tried to call a few times during the afternoon but had no answer so decided to email, I did get a response after a short while asking me to call them.

The conversation started badly when they didn't know who I was, but it appeared I hadn't been called because my biopsy results were not back but by the way my CT scan result was and did I know that I have a mass in my left breast. Would I like them to refer me to the breast clinic.

I had a further conversation with the same nurse the day of my breast clinic appointment (where breast cancer was given as the provisional diagnosis) where I said that I wanted to use my private medical insurance. They didn't know how a referral was made to a private oncologist and it took two days to revert with the news that my GP (who has had no input or information in any of these proceedings) had to do it.

I thought the gynaecology oncology department was poor, and they claimed they didn't want a delay in my treatment when I'm sure the only delay is caused by them. 

I saw no joined up working within the NHS and decisions were made without involving me and then just presented as if it were the only possible course of action. 

The breast clinic was good at giving information and providing a more reassuring experience.