"Outpatient treatment - outstanding"

I have been lucky - or unlucky - enough to be treated for three bouts of breast cancer by Christie specialists and at the Christie hospital, over the past 14 years. The care and expertise were good at the start, but recent improvements to the outpatient experience are really quite outstanding.

I have never been an in-patient, but visiting the hospital for a variety of outpatient appointments I have been impressed by the efficiency, the care, the attitude of staff and the provision of facilities such as waiting areas, changing rooms etc. My most recent experience is of the following departments: radiotherapy, neuro-imaging, PET-CT scanning, and the Herceptin team. All without exception have treated me as an intelligent person able to be involved in decisions, with sensitivity regarding my physical condition and emotional state, with expertise and with explanations as to what is happening. Radiotherapy appointments and body scans ran smoothly and efficiently yet there was no sense of being on a conveyor-belt. I always felt that the principle underlying the Christie was 'put the patient first'.

My treatments finished as of the end of October, and I feel well and positive about the future. There is no doubt that the Christie has played an outstanding role in bringing me to this point.