"outpatient visit to breat care unit"

I visited the breast care unit last week for an appointment with the doctor after referral by my GP. I arrived just before 10 am and was almost immediately taken to the consultation with the doctor. I then returned to the waiting area before having a mammogram. A further wait followed before having an ultrasound scan and then another wait whilst the results were sent back to the doctor. After a final consultation with the doctor, who told me that there was nothing to worry about, I was on my way home after 2 hours.

I was very impressed by the professional and caring manner of everyone that I saw and the explanations of the various tests and the reasons for waiting. I was also impressed with levels of cleanliness and the waiting area was bright, clean and quiet.

To be able to have all the tests and see the consultant with the results on the same visit is a really big improvement on my previous experiences of out patient care. In the past it was an appointment to see the consultant, another appointment for the various tests, on the same day if you were lucky and a third appointment to discuss the test outcomes.

The only adverse comment I would make is about the outside of the Chancellor wing. It would be nice to see some tubs of flowers outside the doors to brighten the place up.

The usual cigarette ends and countless blobs of chewing gum, do nothing to enhance the approach to the hospital. It's a great pity that some patients and their visitors show such lack of pride in a facility that is provided for everyone's benefit.