Just a bit of news

[katieoxo60]

Today I picked up my local newspaper, it says in there that since 2015 , 380,000 cancer patient have not been treated within the 62 day target . So it makes it a bit more acceptable in respect of individual cases like mine that seem to be dragging on. But they are asking people to campaign for better results . Thought some members who were replying to my post this week might be interested in these statistics. Bye for now.

[sassy59]

Thank you for that Katie but it’s not acceptable for anyone to be kept waiting if they have a cancer diagnosis. Xxx❤️

[katieoxo60 in reply to sassy59]

No one should be hanging about I agree because time can make the chances of cure less too, so we need to know what is going to be done about these figures as we don't hold the purse strings for more staff or money for overhead costs, Maybe one day this state of affairs will change, fingers crossed. These figures are horrendous and the wait if you are ill is not good . Thank you for reply, take care xxx

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

I was seen in about 4 weeks, that was after my GP referred me and my symptoms had been missed 3 times, Once 111, once Uregent Care and once a Nurse, then I went to GP . it was 10 months after my first symptoms, that I saw a a consultant. then then I was overlooked for months. xx

[Alberta56 in reply to Ern007]

Disgraceful.

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

It was chris - I had first sine October 2020 - and seen in clinic July 2021 - I should have gone to my GP earlier, She had it sorted quick.

[Dottie11 in reply to Ern007]

So many are but how awful for you and not right. xxx

[Ern007 in reply to Dottie11]

I saw first symptoms in October 2020 - was scary but did not know it was cancer, 111 just said GP is no different Monday, Urgent care said infection as did nurse, thank heavens for my GP What was to come was just as bad, last year been alot better,xxx

[katieoxo60 in reply to Ern007]

its not right is it Ern007, I had the first X-ray which showed an anomaly in January. Had to wait another eight weeks for second X -ray in case it was infection. As you know I see oncologist on Monday that's five months wait to see a specialist with no definite suggestion of any treatment. However the cancer removed last year was a shorter wait. But still over recommended wait. Most of us seem to be telling similar experience on here to your experience. My hospital said they had no referral from Gp the first time but I had been referred when investigated. The Tales are endless just like your case.

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

I feel for you, I really do - I wend for my last BCG treatment today and I asked my dedicated nurse about a letter I got yesterday, asking me to go for a CT acn Thorax. I had nodulues on my right lung that moved to left a Pet Scan showed. Thought no more but to cut a long story short, I was told last year nothing but could be more scarring. Well I got a letter yesterday to go for a thorax scan, my BC nurse told me today in clinic, a consultant has picked upon this and that why I am re-reffered, I agree with you Katie - What is wrong seems systemic. I am being tested for lung cancer, last year shooed nodules and that COULD have been a spread from my BC . my fingers are crossed for you on your oncology appointment.

[warwickstag in reply to katieoxo60]

Mr Sunak assured us last night it was all down to the junior doctor strikes, otherwise he would have reduced waiting lists. Pinocchio couldn't have performed better.

[Dottie11]

Not acceptable but it does explain. I hope you find progress and help soon. xx

[Ern007 in reply to Dottie11]

I got good care from my dedicated Nurse, GP and to a point my consultant, but MDT decission made my life a missery - i defied them and just as well xx

[katieoxo60 in reply to Ern007]

The MDT apparently is an independent adviser , so I wonder who they are accountable too ? They are the ones holding up the process to some degree I have come against them before in 2009. Good luck to you will let you know how my story progresses. Stay as well as can be.

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

Well I will tell you where my cancer went wrong for me, and caused a lot of worry. I was diagnosed with a flexy systoscopy, all good, I went to hospital they was smiling and telling me I was superfisial and none muscle invasive, I was scheduled to have tumour removed and it was, just 24 hour stay - I got a letter from consultant which said, you can now go on anther course of BCG, I will let the MDT know. After talking with the MDT my hope was dashed, they wanted to take my bladder, lymph nodes and give me a stoma.

They may advise, they may give specialist assessment where appropriate. and more - I bed consultants dare not go against them , I was high grade, that was the point in having BCG which worked for me. A cystocomy would be a very very last resort for me, and then I am unsure,

I wish you well Katie, I hope you get that treatment you need to at least make you better than you are now at lease. Please let us know Katie xx

[katieoxo60 in reply to Ern007]

Thank you Ern007, I have one problem with this system decisions made without patient involvement. I guess on occasions even MDT staff conflict . I believe the ultimate decision is up to the patient who should be fully informed to make the decision, if they are able to understand. Enjoy your weekend I am before I start Physio exercises. Change in the weather here today its a bit on the wet side. xx

[sunshineday in reply to katieoxo60]

Hi, When I was working in NHS the MDT was a Multi Disciplinary Team and was not independent. It was all part of the same Trust and made up of various specialities to get a fuller view of options and treatments. When Cliff had a bad fall and fractured 5 ribs the x-ray showed some anomalies on lungs and ribs and A&E went into overdrive and got Cliffs thoracic team involved. The MDT discussed and compared the x-ray to previous ones and found no changes for over 10 years. This was all done in 24 hours.

[Otto11 in reply to sunshineday]

Yes I agree with you. MDT is as you say a multi disciplinary team. It could any number of specialists involved in your care getting together to discuss things.

[katieoxo60 in reply to sunshineday]

I have had the MDT before and it consisted of the doctors involved in my case , but on reading the NHS site last week it said MDT was independent now, however the recorded doctors for mine are the ones currently dealing with my case as far as the computer copy goes. Mainly lung Drs . Some call it Medical decision team, or as I know it multi disciplinary team. It also allows different opinions to be raised.

[sunshineday in reply to katieoxo60]

Perhaps it's very recent, I have just looked on NHS and cannot find anything about independence. The main issue is that the team work together for the benefit of the patient and therefore have knowledge of the patient and local hospital procedures and systems. Just hope katie that you have the best treatment available to help you. Best wishes

[katieoxo60 in reply to sunshineday]

That is what it should be about, the staff knowing their patient , and most definitely the full medical history should at least be available on the computer . I have found a GP problem too, in my practice my GPs like myself are getting older . Every time I go its a different Gp which does not help when wanting to follow up treatment. But necessary to see who ever can see you for a speedy diagnosis. If GPs don't see you regularly how are they supposed to build up a patient relationship.?

[sunshineday in reply to katieoxo60]

How I agree with you katie, continuity of care is vital. Our old GP of 20 years retired in 1998 and he said the 'new GP replacing me is young. It's important he knows you as you are now and how you respond to your ongoing health problems. When you're old he'll have seen how you've coped over the years and so know how best to respond''. 24 years later we still have the same GP and usually see him about 70% of the time. It's a huge bonus because we don't have to waste time explaining things. xx

[Alberta56]

Local private clinic has recently opened a large cancer unit. All right for some, but not for most of us. I wonder where they get their consultants from?

[hypercat54 in reply to Alberta56]

The NHS is slowly being privatised by stealth...

[katieoxo60]

At a rough estimate maybe NHS trained then moved on to private consultancy.

[Alberta56 in reply to katieoxo60]

Quite. I suspect they may even work part time at our local NHS hospital.

[katieoxo60 in reply to Alberta56]

Very true.

[Ern007]

Well Chris when I first got COPD my Respiratory care was really good, all the team was and they, looked after my heart problems. But main consultant left to go private and what I had last year, was pathetic. Looks like I have a good one folloing up his mess. x

[hypercat54 in reply to Ern007]

Yes. Those with money will usually get better treatment than those without. And faster. The NHS is becoming a resource only for those who can't afford private treatment and for serious illnesses.

[Ern007 in reply to hypercat54]

That's what I have found.. The NHS has been changing for years and not for the better,

[hypercat54 in reply to Ern007]

And all the proliferation of private medical insurance companies...we will be like the USA soon!

[Ern007 in reply to hypercat54]

Indeed - Bupa started this, at least they build their own hospitals. lots of Private Heath copanies - I was sent to Virgin Care for Perfieral Neuropathy, and it was a dump. I also was sent to a private hospital for ;gynecomastia; NHS shoud be seperate.

[hypercat54 in reply to Ern007]

I was also sent to a private hospital years ago for a very minor surgical problem. It was a much better experience than an NHS one too lol

[Ern007 in reply to hypercat54]

I had a good experience, only for what I went for. Virgin Care was um, basic. a 2 chair wating room. .

[katieoxo60 in reply to Ern007]

I just had a cataract removed at the local clinic in my area which was a good experience and of course a newly kitted theatre in modern building. But it uses NHS staff , this took less than two weeks to occur. I now have to go to local optician again to be referred for the other eye. It appears we are moving to more private style health service . Which is good , but can't be sustained I feel.

[hypercat54 in reply to katieoxo60]

The NHS are using private facilities at the moment. But when we all have to pay it will no longer be free.

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

I had a good experience with private when I was treated for (gynaecomastia)v- The care was good and speedy.

I hope the cost of the use of private care does not lose the NHS free at source model - Which used to be better to be hosest.

[katieoxo60 in reply to hypercat54]

Agree

[Chrissca71]

so far i cannot fault the nhs in my treatment to date after reading all the comments here i am grateful my cardiologist sent me for a scan which picked up the nodule on my lung last october i then had another scan in February and the nodule was still there so he referred me to respiratory i then after a biopsy in may found out i have lung cancer they are hopefull that as its not grown and is in the bottom of my lung the surgery i am having next week will remove just a part of the lung and the cancer will all be removed so ok its now 8 months since the nodule was spotted but i have been looked after so well so far thank you NHS

[Patk1]

It's terrible,waiting so long.my fear is that with difficulties in contacting gp surgeries and appointments how many people aren't going to be seen until it's too late

[BrigidsFire]

I’ll bet half of those cases are in Wales. I know personally of plenty of people who weren’t seen because of “covid” and then died because they weren’t seen in time.

[Bingo88]

Good morning Katieoxo60. Yes this report came up on my phone yesterday and its not acceptable to be waiting to start treatment with cancer. It needs to start as soon as possible. I wonder if the report was sent out on purpose because of the general Election being in people's thinking at the moment. Hope your ok. Brian

[katieoxo60 in reply to Bingo88]

Thank you Brian, I guess it might be a bit of election propaganda. However I suspect not as many people seem concerned about the wait for these treatments. In my case it maybe stretching the time so I don't get over anxious under pressure. Hope you are well as can be .

[Izb1]

Not acceptable Katie that over 380k people are waiting treatment for cancer in today's world. I feel that we have gone backwards . I hope that things can start moving for you and you don't have too much longer to wait x

[katieoxo60 in reply to Izb1]

Izb1 , like you it worries me these are just the cancer numbers what about all the other NHS services? In my case as someone said my cancer is just incidental as I have other chronic illness. But in the six month wait my cancer could have killed me or become untreatable. That is a frightening thought for patients no one ever knows when they may become seriously ill. The system needs to change.

[Izb1 in reply to katieoxo60]

So true Katie the system need a radical change and its wrong of any government to expect the people to just accept this is the way it is. We need change now. When my mum got send home from hospital rolling around in agony for the second time , they didn't know what was wrong with her so I took her straight back and said they would not be sending her home until they could tell me what was wrong with her. It took them 6 bloody weeks to find she had cancer in her kidney tubes. I hate to say it but think if you are older they just don't want to know. I had to stand up for my mum so many times in the hopital and even had to clean the room she was in because it was filthy. They did finally give her a nephrostromy sadly I think it was too late. Strange how i could fight my mums corner with no problem but have difficultly doing the same thing for myself. Just stick up for yourself a Katie and speak out if you think you are not being treated properly. I wish you well x

[katieoxo60 in reply to Izb1]

I guess your right really but when you are exhausted from existing health issues and they just keep adding to the list you run out of fight some days. I'm sorry you had such a bad time with your mother, I am lucky my mum never had any really serious ills. On Monday I will be if I get half a chance because like your mum one minute I have no ills or minor ones now I have three cancers even a magician would be going some to conjure up this one. Thank you for your reply. x

[Izb1 in reply to katieoxo60]

Oh Katie I can't imagine what you are going through I wish you had somebody to fight your corner for you. As you say you run out of fight and its all too much. When poorly you need a shoulder to lean on. Sending love and hugs x

[katieoxo60 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you for your reply , and the hugs. I remembered an old friend of mine when everything was too much we used to hug each other to take the feelings away of despair.

[Izb1 in reply to katieoxo60]

You are well supported here with lots of hugs x

[jhorsf]

You have to fight for healthcare today , like I said on here give your GP hell, get them to do something, no treatment is not acceptable

[katieoxo60 in reply to jhorsf]

I agree totally but at the end of the day as my Granddaughter says we are at the mercy of the system unless we can afford to pay. It does seem like we are fighting for care, but then in other areas it seems better. We have to fight for Gp care too in most cases as they have too many patients per DR and too many rules to apply plus recording everything. They also have to be known in the area they serve.