"Problems with written communication at Chorley and South Ribble"

Over a year ago my husband was referred to Chorley Hospital for examination for possible prostate Cancer. An appointment was received after two weeks for two months time. This was then canceled without explanation and no future appointment offered.

Then out of the blue one evening we received a phone call at 8.00pm from the hospital asking him to go in at 7.30pm next evening. You can imagine the worry this sudden rush caused especially with the unusual timing of both the call and the appointment.

I questioned the consultant about this during our visit saying the "rush" had worried us only to be told "Oh no need to worry it's all because of hospital targets". I did not know whether to laugh or cry - she had no idea how much her "targets" had worried us. If they had told us this during the telephone call we would have understood and perhaps have even been impressed.

We saw the specialist again on Thursday 29th February for a repeat, quarterly consultation. We were told that if my husband's PSA had gone up they would ask him to go for a biopsy - if not he would just be given another routine appointment for 3 months time. So quite naturally we were once again a little concerned.

Imagine our relief when on Monday the 3rd he got a routine appointment letter.

Then our despair on the 5th when he got an in-patient appointment for the biopsy

Then my anger when on the 7th he got a letter from the consultant saying his PSA was fairly high and she was arranging a biopsy. A case of left hand not knowing what the right etc........

If their communication is so disorganised do they expect patients and family to have faith in the standard of their treatment.