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Cancer Diagnosis

Posted By Pebbles54

"Cancer Diagnosis"

About: Borders General Hospital / Borders Macmillan Centre

(as a service user),

I have recently been given a Diagnosis of breast cancer by Borders General Hospital. This is my second episode and I first experienced this around 10 years ago and underwent surgery and then chemotherapy to treat it. I had been 7 years clear prior to this and received regular follow up and medication for the first 5 years then was  discharged It has now been two weeks since my diagnosis which was done over the telephone by a nurse, I have not seen or spoken to any other members of the MDT who are deciding the course of treatment.

 I do not feel that so far I had been given adequate information or support and I am still unclear on prognosis and treatment plan. This is not giving me a great deal of confidence especially coupled with the fact my initial X-ray was taken 6 weeks before any abnormalities were picked up and the information conveyed to me by my GP secretary. I feel that so far the standard of care,information and support has been extremely substandard and the whole process has lacked any sense of leadership from the medical professionals. I am very disappointed and concerned about my future health.

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Responses

Response from Caroline Burgess, Specialist Nurse, Sexual Health Services, NHS Borders 6 years ago
Caroline Burgess
Specialist Nurse, Sexual Health Services,
NHS Borders

Submitted on 26/11/2018 at 16:40
Published on Care Opinion at 18:29

Thank you for feeding back your story and the understandable concerns that you have regarding your care after diagnosis. I am sorry to hear of your experience and ask that if you feel able and would like to discuss this further you contact me directly. If you contact NHS Borders through the main switchboard asking them to bleep me, I can gather some information from you and establish what has happened in your care pathway.

It is important that we are able to alleviate some of your concerns and ensure that you feel supported.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Kind regards,

Caroline Burgess

Clinical Service Manager- Planned Care.

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Response from Lynda Taylor, Nurse Consultant Cancer, NHS Borders 6 years ago
Lynda Taylor
Nurse Consultant Cancer,
NHS Borders

Submitted on 26/11/2018 at 16:45
Published on Care Opinion at 18:30

Dear Pebbles54,

On behalf of NHS Borders, I am incredibly sorry to hear that you have had a very difficult and upsetting time. We have systems in place to make sure that information is usually given in good time and in the setting that is right for each person. However this is not what you describe experiencing on this occasion and understand this has left you feeling anxious and uncertain. Please can you make contact with me, not only to review why the system did not work for you on this occassion, but most importantly, to plan with you, how our Cancer Services can support you going forward. My telephone number is 01896 826888.

With Kindest Regards,

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