"My recent care and treatment following cancer..."

I was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma in my ear in July 2018 and advised in the ENT department. I subsequently saw the surgeon and support team on several occasions, had several scans, before having invasive surgery for 5 hours.

This was completed successfully. Both before the surgery. during and after, I was given wonderful treatment and care.

Both the anaesthetist and surgeon visited me on the ward - the latter more than once. During follow up visits to ENT I continued to be given full care and consideration.

The only negative comment I would make is nothing to do with care and treatment, but to the appointment system in ENT.

On most occasions we had a lengthy wait beyond our appointment time.

It seems this is normal and accepted, but for patients like myself, who find waiting long periods difficult, particularly wheh the appointment is for a diagnosis or test results, it is very stressful. Perhaps some consideration could be given to improving this system in some way for patients.

I subsequently had radiothereapy, and again, was treated with great consideration and care throughout by all the radiography and oncology team.

We are very fortunate to have the NHS to care for us in the UK, and here in Torbay to have such dedication and expertise.