"Cancer treatment at Antrim Area Hospital"

I wish to acknowledge the wonderful care I received at Antrim Area Hospital last year.

At the end of 2020 my father's bowel cancer returned. Despite treatment the cancer spread and he died in January 2021. A month later I developed symptoms of bowel cancer and was referred to Antrim Hospital for tests. Following a colonoscopy and many scans I had surgery for stage 3 bowel cancer in August 2021 followed by 4 cycles of chemotherapy at Laurel House. As you can imagine last year was very difficult. I had never been an inpatient in hospital before (except when my children were born) and it was the excellent care I received from all the staff I encountered that got me through this. Everyone treated me, not only with professionalism, but with kindness and words of thanks do not seem adequate.

In the last year I have attended:

outpatients - doctors, nurses and reception staff were unfailing kind to this very nervous patient. Everyone took time to explain what was happening and patiently answered what I'm sure were very stupid questions.

Mr Neely's outpatient colonoscopy clinic - Mr Neely and his staff took time to talk to me and explain the procedure. They reassured me and made a stressful procedure so much more bearable

Scans -I had never had a CT or MRI scan before and staff took time to explain each procedure making the whole experience less stressful. One member of the reception staff went out of his way to show me where my next appointment was.

Pre-OP Assessment - My pre op assessment took place in Mid Ulster and the nurses explained everything and answered my long list of questions. Nothing was too much trouble.

Elective Surgery Unit - Nurses, theatre nurses, surgeon, anaesthetist, stoma nurses - all took time to explain exactly what was going to happen. By the time I walked into the operating theatre, for what turned out to be a 4 hour operation, I wasn't nervous. This is completely down to the kindness I was shown at all times.

Elective Surgery Recovery Ward - I spent 5 days in this ward (old icu ward) and the care I received from everyone was excellent. Despite the fact that the staff were very busy they all took time to talk to me and made my stay so much easier. During my time there I met physios, a dietician, stoma nurses and pharmacy staff. The care they provided was, without exception, excellent. I would also like to thank the catering staff who worked hard to accommodate my difficult diet (Low fibre/ Vegetarian) and find food that I could eat.

Stoma Nurses - The stoma nurses not only helped me in the hospital but patiently answered my many calls in the first weeks I was at home.

I would also like to thank the booking staff who rang when a cancellation for a scan was available. I feel that office staff are often ignored when praise is given but they keep the system running and deserve thanks.

Laurel House –Doctors and Nurses were unfailingly kind - though I already knew this from attending appointments with my father. Chemotherapy is a scary experience and the patience and kindness of everyone I met in Laurel house got me through this treatment. I would also like to thank the Macmillan Nurses who kept in touch with me to make sure I was coping.

When I was leaving the colonoscopy clinic one of the nurses walked me back to the waiting room. At that stage I knew I needed surgery and I suspected my condition was serious. When we got to the waiting room, she reached out and touched my shoulder and wished me all the best. That small act of kindness sums up my treatment and I am eternally grateful to everyone.

Please pass my thanks on to all departments and staff concerned

(I have posted a separate note of thanks for the district nurses who visited me throughout last year)