Following a survey of cancer patients, Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra (QA) hospital in Cosham has been revealed as having the most improved cancer care services in the country.

In just one year, the QA has improved areas such as giving parents better information, providing more options for treatment and seeing patients more quickly.

The cancer care survey was launched last year. 70,000 patients nationally were surveyed and 890 in the Portsmouth area replied.

An impressive development has been the sentinel lymph node assay. The process involves checking patient’s lymph nodes while there are under anaesthetic for breast cancer lump removal, to check if the cancer has spread.

If it has spread, the lymph nodes can be removed at the same time.

This has cut the extra days of worry for patients, the waiting around and the need for a second operation. It is quick and accurate and it has been reported that 1,400 patients so far.

Patient’s also reported that they can ring their specialist cancer nurse and get an appointment quickly.

The areas that the NHS Trust running the QA hospital has succeed in, according to patient views are:

• Giving clear answers to patients that they understood
• Treating patients with dignity, giving enough privacy when examined and treated
• Seeing patients quickly
• Treating patients with respect when revealing the patient was suffering from cancer
• Giving patients a choice of treatment

Swain & Co.’s medical negligence solicitors are pleased to see an NHS Trust that is been praised by its patients and the cancer care provided being of a high standard and respectful to patients.

Going through cancer is an emotionally difficult time and having choices, things explained to you clearly and being treated with dignity means that the patient can not feel so daunted, and feel supported.

                                                                                                                                                               

All too often there are problems with cancer care.

Delays in diagnosis of cancer can cause complications, the need for more invasive treatment and in the worst cases, a shortened life expectancy.

Swain & Co.’s experienced medical negligence lawyers handle cases involving delays in diagnosing cancer. We understand that going through cancer is an extremely difficult and emotional time, and are here to help should your diagnosis or treatment be delayed.

For free legal advice in an initial consultation, call us for free on 0800 0351 999