"Clean environment and pleasant ..."

What I liked

Clean environment and pleasant reception staff.

What could be improved

Could be made to feel less like a warehouse (externally and internally). No provision for special diets at food outlet. The waiting area was dreary and felt like part of a production line.

Anything else?

The Consultant that I saw had not briefed himself on my condition (had x-ray of my shoulder on his screen, but told me I had a problem with my elbow). He did not greet me in a mannerly way - just stood and stared at me until I introduced myself.

Whilst I was giving him the history of my condition he yawned!

I was sent to book an MRI but was told I could only have it on a certain day of the week as the required staff and consultants had unpredicatble working patterns. I work over 200 miles away from home (in the NHS) so needed an MRI appointment on a Monday of Friday so as to affect my work as little as possible. When I asked if I could have the MRI at nearby Derriford hospital I was told that, if I did, I could not be seen again at the Centre. It was my understanding that Treatment Centres were there to support the NHS - not hinder patient care and choice.

I asked my GP to arrange a new referral to Derriford Hospital (almost next door). My treatment there has been exemplary - a totally different experience to the Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre.