My partner who suffers from PTSD related anxiety/memory problems was subjected to completely unprofessional and bordering on illegal treatment when attending the 'one stop prostate clinic' operating at NPT Hospital under ABMU health board. He underwent, without informed consent, and under duresse, an invasive procedure-the whole appointment taking all of 15 mins, contrary to local and national guidelines, during which we felt his safety and dignity was compromised, resulting in a raging urinary tract infection, obscuring of clear baseline picture for following MRI scan, as well as weeks of discomfort and stress after the 'results' appt, where alarmist language was used and his wishes ignored.
Staff involved remain unaccountable, the official concern lodged yet to be addressed, and the whole experience so far feels like a kafka novel, leaving us very angry and upset, as well as concerned that others may experience similar treatment
My partner was rushed into,as well as frightened into by use of alarmist language, a prostate biopsy he neither wanted nor would have chosen,given time and consideration,procedure was carried out without checking his urine test results first (which were handed in halfway through procedure, when door was opened whilst he was lying exposed on the couch), ) antibiotics give minutes before, his right to autonomous choice, respect and dignity ignored, no aftercare and aftercare advice, discharged 15 mins later without having been observed, in shock, pain and bleeding into his underpants. Nothing was offered to protect his clothes then to start the 90 min drive home-on his own, on antibiotics given without the package and without contact details of relevant staff in charge of procedure, without informing his gp about the procedure having taken place.
We attended a 'results' appt a week later-to find the nurse consultant a 'clinical nurse specialist' rushing him through 'treatment options' within minutes of giving the results-the first being 'radical prostatectomy (his diagnose being the lowest grade cancer, gleeson 3*3)..in the corner sat an unnamed, not introduced person (much like at biopsy-three strangers, all female, one not introduced). And when I pointed out that active surveillance (option 'given' somewhat further along) entailed potential further biopsies, he voiced definitely wanting to wait before deciding anything! regardless, he was 'put' on active surveillance (according to letter, not addressed to his gp, that was sent 10 days later to his surgery).
The CNS gave us no consultant name, no contact bar their own (apparently being his designated 'key worker'), and proved to be extremely difficult to contact, telling us conflicting or incorrect information when we managed to contact her. Further contact with relevant health board/staff,up til last appointment (with his original consultant) who we had asked to be referred back to) had continued to be unprofessional, not transparent, not accountable, and 5 months along, and 3 months after raising official concern with health board, we still do not have answers as to why this seems to be deemed acceptable treatment. will escalate to contacting ombudsman next, as have little faith in concerns process...my partner suffers from PTSD and is classed as vulnerable. If this clinic has been run to this standard and continues to be run like this, things need to change urgently-nobody, left alone someone vulnerable, labelled with the 'cancer' label, should experience such lack of professional standards and care. ABMU need to listen and act-we are human beings, not statistics or target numbers..or 'service users'!
"prostate cancer diagnosis and aftermath"
About: Neath Port Talbot Hospital Neath Port Talbot Hospital Port Talbot SA12 7BX
Posted by bearsdaughter (as ),
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Update posted by bearsdaughter (other) 7 years ago
See more responses from Swansea Bay University Health Board
Update posted by bearsdaughter (other) 7 years ago
Update posted by bearsdaughter (other) 6 years ago
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Update posted by bearsdaughter (other) 4 years ago