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The RCDS team were great

Posted By rcdsal19

"The RCDS team were great"

About: Fife Community Services / Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) General practices in Fife Queen Margaret Hospital / Endoscopy Queen Margaret Hospital / Radiology Victoria Hospital / Radiology

(as a service user),

I was referred to the hospital for various tests following a visit to my doctor as I was losing weight and feeling a bit low.  I was given appointments to attend  Victoria Hospital for an ultrasound and Queen Margaret for a CT Scan and Endoscopy. 

I was very anxious about attending the hospital as it can be a daunting experience particularly if you are older and unsure of where to go when you arrive. It can be distressing if you are not a confident individual.   At Victoria Hospital I made my way to Radiology for my ultrasound and I was greeted by a very sullen receptionist who I felt could have been a bit more welcoming and a smile would have helped. The staff who carried out the procedure were, on the other hand, great and made me feel at ease. 

When I attended Queen Margaret for my scan and endoscopy all the staff from the receptionist to the nursing staff were very helpful and I was very pleased with the service I received.  The only thing I would mention is that I thought perhaps I would have been offered a general aesthetic for this.

The RCDS team were exceptional and kept me informed at all times.  This was very important as after my visit to the GP I was unsure what tests I would be getting at the hospital.  Although the tests for cancer were clear they did highlight other health issues I had.  This has caused me some distress as I have not had a further contact from my GP which I was expecting. 

In summary the RCDS team were great, the service was fast and informative.  I do think some admin support staff could be more welcoming which would have made a hospital visit less worrying. 

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Responses

Response from Murdina MacDonald, Lead Cancer Nurse, Cancer Services, NHS Fife 4 months ago
Murdina MacDonald
Lead Cancer Nurse, Cancer Services,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 08/01/2024 at 10:25
Published on Care Opinion at 10:25

Dear rcdsal19

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience of care with us. I understand how the hospital experience can be daunting, especially for older individuals. I am sorry the receptionist's was less than welcoming to you and we appreciate this feedback and I will share with our radiology colleagues. I agree with you that a warm welcome is crucial. I appreciate that the staff conducting the procedure made you feel at ease and glad you had a positive experience at Queen Margaret for your scan and endoscopy. I will share your query regarding the possibility of being offered a general aesthetic with our colleagues in endoscopy as she may be able to offer more advice on this. The RCDS team will be delighted to learn that you felt well supported and were kept well informed throughout the process.

It’s understandable that discovering additional health issues may be distressing. I recommend reaching out to your GP for further discussion about any necessary follow-up care. Proactive communication with your GP is crucial for addressing concerns and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of your situation.

Wishing you all the best

Kind Regards

Murdina

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Response from Zoe Maclaughlan, Lead Radiographer, Radiology, NHS Fife 4 months ago
Zoe Maclaughlan
Lead Radiographer, Radiology,
NHS Fife

Lead Radiographer Phase 3 x-ray Victoria Hospital

Submitted on 08/01/2024 at 11:47
Published on Care Opinion at 11:47

picture of Zoe Maclaughlan

Dear rcdsal19,

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide feedback on the service provided to you during your health investigations. I am glad to hear your scans went smoothly and you were put at ease by the staff looking after you.

I apologise that your initial welcome into radiology was not to our expectations, and will feed this back to the radiology team. A warm welcome into a department can make such a difference when you are feeling anxious and I will stress this to the team.

I wish you all the best with your health going forwards.

Many Thanks,

Zoë Maclaughlan

Lead Radiographer

Phase 3 x-ray

Victoria Hospital

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