"Bowel Cancer Services"

Bowel Cancer Services at this hospital is less than satisfactory. On TV adverts we are told that We (as in the general public) should be clear on cancer and that if the inevitable does happen 'We are here for you'. What utter tosh. In reality my experience of cancer services falls well below the expected standards. It is of departments not working together and refusing to co-operate even if it is detrimental for the patient involved. My personal experience over the last two years is of some amazing and talented surgeons, oncologists and nurses at Pinderfields whom want and try to do the best for their patients, but there are a minority who make it difficult for these true professionals to get on with their jobs. I was diagnosed with secondary cancer six weeks ago and have been passed from one department to another, it felt like nobody was wanting to take responsibility for me. Needless to say I haven't even started treatment yet and it doesn't look like it will be any time soon. I spend a lot of time making my own phone calls to different departments who give me phone numbers to chase things up myself. I should not have to be doing this as I am the person who is sick and am on continuous painkillers, this should be their job. My oncologist, whom I have only just seen for the first time this week, who I found approachable and compassionate, is wanting to start my treatment asap but because of yet another department (who deals a lot with cancer patients and should know better) refusing to budge, their planned treatment won't be any time soon. I was sent to Jimmy's for my tests and I found them very quick and efficient and all of the staff approachable. If Jimmy's wasn't so far away from were I live and so difficult for me to get to I would not hesitate on insisting on being treated there even though I have been told I would get the same treatment as Pinderfields. I hate complaining but I felt I had to have my say. I am so angry about the inefficient practices I have come across in what is the best health service in the world. We are dealing with peoples lives here. I phoned PALS a few weeks ago and left my name and phone number and unsurprisingly nobody phoned me back.