Another little frustration!

I think I posted before that Ted was due to have a CT Scan tomorrow. He got a phone call this afternoon to say that the CT Scanner in the oncology department had broken down two days ago and wasn't fixed yet, so his appointment has been cancelled. He will get another appointment "in due course".

I wouldn't mind so much but it's not like this is the only CT scanner in the hospital - I've seen direction signs to at least two others. Apparently, though, that's irrelevant!

AAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!

Hi, this often happened to us in our previous life of 'Kidney Cancer'. What amazes me is the different protocol in different hospitals - surely there should be some best practice that goes across the NHS? I made this point about Trevor when he had his anomaly scan in April for what was thought to be Renal Cell Metastases - we went through a further CT scan, an ultrasound scan and 2 x EUS plus biopsies and were then told that it was 'good news' but they would 'send the results to the xx as routine'. That investigation took 3 months and when we went to the Marsden we were told that it had been critical - it then took a further 2 months of investigation. So 5 months before operation and even then we paid privately. My point to xx & xx was that if they had no specialist and IF they would send their results to the xx even if they were negative, that they should have done it in the 1st place, why waste time? I spoke to Trevor's Urologist afterwards who said that in spite of what had happened they would do the same again...seems mad to me...and a waste of money

Hi Lily

Some of the facts revealed on this forum show an appalling lack of concern. I'm sure that the medical staff are doing their best but it is apparent that they are often struggling with systems which seem designed not only to frustrate and infuriate a saint (which I'm not!) but to prevent prompt treatment. Given the statistics relating to PC, prompt treatment can literally be a life-saver.

I cannot say often or loudly enough that patients and their families in the UK need to make their voices heard. I've been driving Ted's treatment since he was first diagnosed by asking questions about when things would take place and complaining (without shouting or being abusive) when I think that he's been disadvantaged by the system or when staff haven't played their part. This has benefitted not only Ted but other patients in our local hospital because directly as a result of my complaints they have instigated new protocols within the chemo clinic. It is possible to move mountains!!!

Best wishes

Nicki