"Poor care for cancer patients "

I was checked by routine breast examination in March 2009 and told there was no evidence of a return of my breast cancer experienced in October 2006. The consultant commented kindly and said to me we all have to die some time. I soon after contacted the hospital with a cough and severe pains in my back and lungs. It took a long time until delays and scans revealed that the cancer had returned and spread to bones, lungs and liver. I was asked to wait a few weeks until my consultant returned from holiday when they would offer me an appointment.

Needless to say, this and the fact I caught an infection which remained untreated by the hospital during my radiotherapy in 2006 and that incorrect information was entered in my notes, all caused me to change to a different hospital. Nobody informed I could change hospitals or how to do this. I now go to a hospital 100 miles away which is excellent. I feel that my account is similar to a number of cancer patients being treated at this hospital. From my experience, I think if you have cancer you should choose a specialist hospital, not a local general one.