Kath Cherry

Review of Private Patient Suite, Royal M...

I would be dead by now if it wasn't for the Royal ...

I would be dead by now if it wasn't for the Royal Marsden, so I can't give it anything else than 5 stars. That doesn't mean that there's not room for improvement. I was diagnosed in 2008, and my observations below are based largely on my experience of it at this time.

Like any large organisation, there are good and bad things about it. The medical care from the doctors and senior nurses is second to none. You're getting some of the best treatment in the world, and if you're an NHS patient as I was, you're getting it for free. It is easy to forget that this system does not exist in most other parts of the world.

That said, there are definite areas for improvement. Junior nursing (and housekeeping staff) are often sadly lacking in their pastoral care abilities (some are just plain rude), compared to their more well-qualified counterparts. I also had the misfortune to have some really quite shocking treatment from some locum nurses, who perhaps should not be put in charge of the care of patients with such acute needs. And the food - really? I know it's got to be difficult, but you can't expect to facilitate a speedy recovery with this level of food. Pastoral care from the breast care nurses ranged from angelic (no, really. They go in there every day and they're that wonderful to strangers, every day. I am in awe) to tragic (if you're going to make an appointment with me, have the decency to remember it).

But I tell you this, not to cast aspersions, but to help you set your expectations. If you know what to expect then you'll be more able to take the small stuff in your stride. Lets face it, if you're going there, you've got your hands full anyway with the big stuff. I was lucky to be a patient at the Royal Marsden. I realise I might not be here if I'd had treatment anywhere else. If I'm unfortunate enough to need their help again, I wouldn't hesitate in choosing them.