It is so sad to read this.  Your mother definitely deserved better from the NHS and it must be so hard for you right now. You might find that channelling some of your grief by doing something positive - whether approaching your MP, your local NHS trust about this issue or even volunteering to support a local charity - may help.  It's very early days in terms of your loss.  I do wish you find comfort and support locally.  Is there a bereavement group in your area?

I think it's not what the government want the wider population to know about but, yes, so many people have been adversely affected by the way the pandemic has been prioritised.  For myself, a two week referral at the beginning of March was put on hold until the end of July at which point cancer was confirmed.  Initially I was told that the cancer was contained within the bowel and no further treatment would be required.  However by the time surgery took place, the cancer had moved into my lymph nodes and I am starting chemotherapy next week.  I can't help but think this might not have been necessary had I been seen when originally referred.  I dread to think that the spike in Covid cases which is pretty much here already is going to have the same impact on others - both in terms of delayed treatment and possible consequences thereof.  i contacted my MP in a bid to raise awareness of this situation and asked that he do his best to ensure that sufferers of other illnesses aren't once again thrown to the wolves whilst hospitals fill up with Covid patients. 

Surely it's not being unrealistic to suggest that Nightingale units are used for Covid, hospitals for other urgent cases?

It is so sad to read this.  Your mother definitely deserved better from the NHS and it must be so hard for you right now. You might find that channelling some of your grief by doing something positive - whether approaching your MP, your local NHS trust about this issue or even volunteering to support a local charity - may help.  It's very early days in terms of your loss.  I do wish you find comfort and support locally.  Is there a bereavement group in your area?

I think it's not what the government want the wider population to know about but, yes, so many people have been adversely affected by the way the pandemic has been prioritised.  For myself, a two week referral at the beginning of March was put on hold until the end of July at which point cancer was confirmed.  Initially I was told that the cancer was contained within the bowel and no further treatment would be required.  However by the time surgery took place, the cancer had moved into my lymph nodes and I am starting chemotherapy next week.  I can't help but think this might not have been necessary had I been seen when originally referred.  I dread to think that the spike in Covid cases which is pretty much here already is going to have the same impact on others - both in terms of delayed treatment and possible consequences thereof.  i contacted my MP in a bid to raise awareness of this situation and asked that he do his best to ensure that sufferers of other illnesses aren't once again thrown to the wolves whilst hospitals fill up with Covid patients. 

Surely it's not being unrealistic to suggest that Nightingale units are used for Covid, hospitals for other urgent cases?

Thank you so much for your reply.

I am so very sorry to hear of your diagnosis and I do wish you the best for your treatment and recovery.

It has helped me, in my grief, reading through some of the conversations in this forum. We as a family do want to challenge the decision that was made though, in regards to postponing all treatment, and I thank you for your advice to contact the MP. I think this will be a good starting point.

People like yourself and my Mam SHOULD NOT be let down by the health service, in a time that's most needed.

We had months of fighting to speak to someone, to find out what was going on, always coming up against brick walls. Towards the end it was a case of begging them to do something to save my Mam.

And another good point...what's happened to the Nightingale Hospital (Principality Stadium) Cardiff? We were discussing that just the other day. There seemed to be a bug rush to staff it and then nothing, no mention of it since!

It is an awful time that we are living in at the moment. I can only pray that it gets better.

I do wish you well. Do not let them postpone your treatment further or brush you off! Keep on to them!