"Excellent inpatient and radiotherapy care"

Anything else?

I've had 3 ops here, one 5 years ago and 2 in 2012. The care was excellent throughout surgery and on the ward. The surgeon was friendly and caring, as well as food at the job, the anaesthetists wonderful and with a sense of humour, all Staff are all amazingly professional. The ward nurse even recognised me from my short stay 5 years previously. Even the cleaners are friendly and do a thorough job. I couldn't believe this was the NHS, with personal flat screen TV and Internet access from my bed, and a long menu of meal choices - all tastes catered for.

Subsequent radiotherapy over 5 weeks was managed efficiently with minimal waiting, and the RT suite is bright and airy. The team of radiotherapists deserves special mention.

The outpatient system is less good, often with long waiting times, a waiting room that could do with updating, and a system where you're called through only to sit and wait again in a corridor with lots of staff coming and going - a slightly stressful environment. But once you get seen, the staff again are wonderful and caring.

The Stanley Cohen breast care unit could also do with a review - excellent service and technical/medical facilities once you're seen, but again there can sometimes be very long waits, and a slightly stressful atmosphere (including inane daytime TV). But it's worth it to be seen by the best medics for miles around. Just make sure you take something to read whilst you wait!

Lots of information about your illness is provided - I have a folder full of booklets and guidelines. And drop in access was available after treatment finishes.

The Marsden really is the best place for cancer care. We are very lucky to have it.