I just wondered if anyone had ever chanaged consultants as they are not happy with first.
I am very unhappy with mine, not in terms of the diagnoisis which I fully accept. It is just that things are being missed and the chemo nurses keep having to ring me to find out what is happening wiht my drugs as there seems to be a real problem with commmunication
Going next week to see my GP and find out if it will be possible so any advice from anyone who has done it would really be appircateed.
One possible hospital to move to could be the Royal Marden in Sutton just wondered if anyone is being treated here and how they find it.
I haven’t changed but I have heard good things about The Royal Marsden. I’m fairly new to this but think it’s important to have trust in your team and good communication. I hope someone else has experience of changing. Best wishes Anne
Hi Sarah Louise, I’m treated at the Marsden in Sutton.Long story short I went to their family history clinic around 1990, primary diagnosed in 1995 and 23 years later, still their patient and I’ve been on one of their drug trials since May 2016.
Since 1995 their patient numbers are now massive and the waits sometimes long in Outpatients but they have expertise and efficiency, I have always felt lucky to be a patient and have great trust in them which is everything. Good luck with your decision x
We’s twins FF!! Secondary diagnosis was 2013, how about you? I’m in Sardinia on holiday, Italian Island west of Italy …with bad internet connection…so don’t worry if no reply. You sound as though you are doing well xx
Just bumping this up as I would love to hear from anyone who changed consultants and know how easy it was. I am going to see the GP on Friday and would like to have some info at hand.
I’ve been under the same oncologist for near 4 years (Sept 2014). Initially privately but on nhs since November 2016 after husbands job changed.
All has been fine until recently he has changed job role and is no longer in clinic on my treatment day (monthly zoladronic acid infusion).
I’ve seen his registrar who, whilst lovely bedside manner, could add nothing of any value when I gave her the list of sided effects and how I’m coping.
Next I saw new locum medical oncologist who again was very nice, but one of those incredibly intelligent statistical driven people who looked up facts, numbers, data from trials but didn’t really instill any confidence that he was actually treating me as a person with symptoms rather than a medical journal!
I had my second quarterly scan 10 days ago and have insisted that I am seen by my original onc or a senior member of the team to get my results … now for the long 3 week wait!
What I’m saying is that it is up to you, you need confidence in the person who is deciding your course of treatment. Knowledge and professionalism are important factors, but empathy and a positive vibe that they are treating you as a person is also very important.
But there’s always that little clause on your appointment letter which says “you may be seem by any member of the team”.
Hi Sarah,
It’s not a situation I’ve had & I don’t have a secondary diagnosis, but I’ve worked in the NHS for years.
Well, at least the sec rang you to pull it together…but not very reassuring though.
As you say, there definitely seems to be a communication problem & it sounds like someone needs to bang their heads together. It would be interesting to know what the leadership problem is within the dept.
It’s the last thing you need when going through this, but is it worth submitting a complaint with a chronology of the issues? There are complaints procedures & PALS should help you with this if needed.
As you say, seeing different people isn’t necessarily an issue, if the team is working in a joined up way.
Wishing you all the best with this.
ann x