"Breast Care Unit - issue with phones/communication"

Hi, I have always been very impressed with the standard of care in the King's Breast Unit.

But recently due to cuts in administration, I have had big problems contacting anyone in the department - several of the phone numbers online and even on letters are wrong and result in calls being cut off, even through the main reception link. The phone does not seem to be answered very much at all in the main breast unit. Breast radiology is fine, but there is an issue with the lines/reception in terms of contact.

I also have not had any breast nurses calling back and left messages over days/weeks. This has delayed my treatment and resulted in significant issues as a result. And it has caused me considerable stress, hours on the phone and costs to call continually, over weeks, as well as prolonging pain for weeks as I could not fix an appointment to sort it out.

I have fed this into my doctor/PALS and mentioned it to my specialist but the wrong numbers are still on your website and the main reception number still doesn't work.

I have had no time for an appointment sent, and had to call continuously/ turned up and risked it to find out my appointment timing. And I have waited at least an hour, usually more, on one occasion, over 3 hours for my appointment.

I think that more resource is needed for this very stretched department and more investment in administration. It does make a difference - in my case my treatment has been significantly delayed and there is a risk to my life.

I am angry that costs can be cut in this way and people disregarded when breast cancer is so time dependent. This does affect survival and does make a massive difference.