4 years ago
Firstly, before I tell you our story, I have to sa...
Firstly, before I tell you our story, I have to say I would give 5 stars for the nurses, they are caring wonderful people here and should not be brought down by what happened to us. Our story, My mum having be diagnosed with a blood cancer has had many tests, before Christmas she started to suffering extreme pains in her back, catscans etc were done, don't worry the doctor said, nothing broken, no bone cancer, just aging bones take paracetamol and go home. Return visit, here have a pain killer, mild but should take the pain away, still no advice about anything broken. Now you could say mum didn't hear the doctor or didn't understand, but each time I was with her and never did the doctors tell her anything was broken. So, three months since the pain started yesterday in tears off she went to her GPs, who turned to her and said, of course you have pain you have a broken vertebrae that is compressed, what!!! The GP gave her the dos and don't to allow the bone to mend, and the right pain killers and asked her to call him within 48 to see if the pain was easing etc. Advising if she felt certain things happening she must go straight to A&E, scary! How can you tell it is broken she asked, I can't but its here in your report from the hospital as shown on your catscan. Really, you mean to say the doctor at Epsom hospital could not be bothered to read the report properly rather preferring to send mum on her merry way leaving her to do all the things she shouldn't, which may have caused more damage, damage that the GP states could result in the need to operate on her back! All this could have been avoided had the doctor done her job properly and read the report! I am beyond angry, but am I surprised, well no, having tried to get tested for a lump and being told during 3 visits over 8 months that my lumps where just my hormones before actual seeing a consultant, who immediately tested me and receiving the news I had stage 4 cancer, no I am not surprised by this. FYI, stage 4 cancer is not necessarily a death sentence and fortunately I had the Marsden to get me through it, but for me it could have been avoided had I been tested when first asked by my GP, I could have avoided the horrific treatment regime! Could I recommend Epsom as a good hospital, well I can only tell you our experiences, I would hope that these are isolated and we are just unlucky, but certainly now there is no trust and no believe in them, which is a constant worry as mum continues her visits.