"Removal of tumour-spent time in SSU, HDU, D6,..."

This review may sound more like a long drawn out story but what I want to highlight is the the speed as to which I was seen, scanned, tested operated on and the incredible care I received during my stay in hospital.

I was referred to Stepping Hill in May 2018 through the urgent referral system after a suspected cancerous tumour was detected in my abdomen during an ultrasound. I had my first assessment with a consultant within 2-3 weeks as well as my first CT scan.

I contacted the medical secretary a short time after the CT to see if my results were available and was told that my consultant was away but that a registrar would be in touch, the next day I was asked to attend a meeting with the registrar to discuss the results. I attended the appointment in the SAU where I received the news that the tumour I had was almost definitely cancer. The staff were amazing, they did further blood tests there and then and managed to get me in for a 2nd CT scan on the same day.

The following Friday I had an appointment to see my original consultant and was told that the surgery to remove the tumour had been scheduled for the following Tuesday with admission on to the SSU on the Monday beforehand.

During my stay I spent 1 night in the SSU, 6 days in HDU, a total of 8 days in ward D6, a night in A&E and most of 1 day in the SAU.

I cannot begin to explain just how amazing everyone and everything was. Everyone that I came in to contact with and I mean everyone, from the nurses, nursing assistants, the anaesthesiologist, the porters, the students, the surgeons, consultants, the cleaners, medical secretaries, the radiologists, and more were absolutely incredible.

It has stuck in my mind even now at almost 5 weeks later at just how much the staff here meant to me during my stay and afterwards. They were reassuring, professional, caring, kind, they made me laugh, made me feel better when I cried, encouraged me, made the time to speak to my family during their visits, went out of their way to make me feel happy and comfortable all the while providing me with fantastic levels of care - which has carried on since I have been home with contact I have had with nursing and secretarial staff.

If I could individually thank or ensure that all the staff I came in to contact with could read this, I would love for them to know how much all of their hard work is appreciated and how it has left a lasting mark with me.

The NHS is fanastic and so is this hospital - your staff are a

credit to you! And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done for me.