"Excellent care but weak admin systems"

My mum developed a melanoma on her face. Her GP diagnosed her and referred her to the dermatology department at Hope Hospital. She went to Hope (which is quite difficult to get to from where we are) three times. Once to see the consultant who told her she needed a biopsy, once to have the biopsy, and then again to have the results of the biopsy and be told she needed to have this lump removed. I can't see why three journeys are necessary. The GP clearly knew that a biopsy was needed, so why could that not be done at the start?

Then she was referred to Christie hospital for treatment. We got to the outpatient clinic at Christie to find that there was no letter or report of the biopsy from Hope, so we had to come back the following week. The people at Christie were very apologetic, but it is hard to understand how the message that my mum needed to be seen got to them without any of the crucial information.

But I am pleased to say that she got her operation very quickly, was very impressed with the efficiency and care at Christie, and even the food (which surprised me, because she has high standards in that area). Her only concern was about difficulty in sleeping, because the wards start being noisy at about 5.30 in the morning.