"Consultation for longstanding back pain and..."

I was referred to the Orthopaedics and Spine Specialist Hospital, through the NHS, by my GP after a meeting with him to discuss and explore my longstanding back and thoracic pain.

Whilst I suspected that the cause of the pain was probably a mechanical and skeletal issue due to too many years playing rugby, I was also troubled by the possibility that the problem might in fact have been sinister and was due to the onset of bone cancer. It was for that specific reason that my GP referred me to the Orthopaedics and Spine Specialist Hospital for an expert orthopaedic consultant's review and assessment. In advance of the consultation CT Scans were carried out and the results were forwarded to the consultant prior to my meeting with him at the hospital.

I am very pleased to say that during the consultation, and after review of the imaging results, the consultant at the hospital was able to reassure me that the pain was indeed due to purely mechanical deterioration of the spinal and vertebral bodies exacerbated, if not in fact caused by, far too many years in the front row of the scrum! Cancer was conclusively ruled out - a huge comfort and relief.

I cannot praise the hospital too highly.

From start to finish the care, courtesy,and attention which I received was of the very highest order. It was quite outstanding. From the moment I arrived at the hospital, and throughout my time there, I was treated with quite exceptional professionalism and dignity. I was received in the reception area with the utmost politeness and quiet efficiency and the preliminary paperwork was dealt with quickly and unobtrusively. I waited for the consultation in a quiet and comfortable environment. My consultation took place at almost exactly the indicated time and, to my surprise and great pleasure, it was the consultant himself who came into the waiting area to greet me and introduce himself before we made our way to the examination room.

The consultation itself was, throughout, a pleasure in every way, strange though that may sound!. It was conducted with great calm and quiet attention. I was made to feel thoroughly relaxed and at ease from the start. The consultant took me through the imaging results in detail and explained them with remarkable clarity and precision. We discussed all the possible solutions, interventions and procedures, surgical and otherwise, and, together, reached a mutually acceptable way going forward to manage my pain.

At the conclusion of the examination the consultant walked with me back to the waiting area before we shook hands and I left.

I have, over the years, and for various reasons, been in and out of several hospitals but I can say without any hesitation whatsoever that my experience at the Orthopaedics and Spine Specialist Hospital in Peterborough has been the most reassuring, comforting, and fulfilling interaction with the NHS ever.

I cannot recommend or applaud this wonderful hospital and its staff too highly.