"A warm-hearted thank you to Gordon Smith..."

I want to express my deep gratitude and high appreciation to the Haematology team at Gordon Smith Ward for the outstanding care and dedicated attention I received in successfully treating my acute myeloid leukaemia.

I was referred from my GP to St George’s Hospital on 11/9/2015. The day after I was transferred to Gordon Smith Ward and taken on from the Haematology team. Since the very first day I felt extremely reassured by the high professionalism, human approach and great commitment showed by all doctors and staff. They could not have been more kind, supportive and knowledgeable. Nurses and care assistants were absolutely fantastic, caring and compassionate; consultants and doctors always kept my husband and me well informed and gave me a diagnosis in just 7 days. Thanks to this prompt response my treatment started very quickly and I was able to tackle AML at a very early stage.

Between September and February I had to go through 4 tough treatments and I was forced to spend over 4 months in the ward, mostly in a side room to avoid the risk of infection. During this long and hard period I always received an amazing support from the ward staff and I cannot thank enough Sister and all nurses, care assistants and other staff for making me feel cared and supported in every moment, especially when I developed bad infections. They really work as a team and I cannot speak more highly of them and of all consultants and doctors that helped me defeat this terrible disease. It truly was an outstanding service that literally saved my life.

In addition to the first class support I received from the medical team, I found the ward spotlessly tidy, comfortable and well organised, with all services provided at a high standard.

At a time when the NHS is often being criticised I feel that I must write to express my heartfelt thanks for the dedication, efficiency and humanitarian way that all staff at the Gordon Smith Ward dealt with me over the last 7 months.

Last but not least, I cannot forget to mention the lifesaving support that my father received when he suffered from a major hearth failure while visiting me at the hospital on 14/12/2015. Without the timely intervention of doctors and staff at Gordon Smith Ward and the successful coronary angioplasty and stent insertion carried out at the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit A, he would not be with us today.

Some weeks ago I was confirmed that my leukaemia is in complete remission. Of course, I need to go through regular checks and keep a close eye on my blood results in the next years: but, 7 months after having been told that I had to face cancer, I can now go back to my life and start planning again my future. And I know that this is possible because of the professional support and amazing care I received from the Haematology team at Gordon Smith Ward.