My partner was diagnosed last week with breast cancer. Can anyone suggest a source of infomation for checking whether both the hospital and the treatment team are well rated?
I haven't heard of anything like that, here, I thought you just went, or I should say were sent, to your nearest specialist centre. I'm lucky as there is one within 5 miles of my home in a smallish hospital compared to others nearby. The hospital had information on the breast cancer team on their website with details of their experience and expertise. From what I have read, on here and elsewhere every consultant has his or her own way of doing things.
From my own experience the time from diagnosis to surgery is like a roller coaster it happens so quickly then you are given a couple of weeks to recover before being told what the next step(s) will be. Then the long haul begins.
I suppose there might be some other information on the NHS website.
You will get a good idea of what to expect from reading the different threads on here.
I hope all goes well for your partner, your support will be invaluable..
Honestly, I dont know whether you just go or whether you have chance to challenge but it seems to me there should be a 'checkatrade.com' equivalent so that you know you are placing something precious in safe hands. Thanks anyway and hope all is going well for you
not sure if this helps but it helped me .... I google the surgeon and oncologist that's been recommended. You can usually see their qualifications etc, I've even found some have reviews mainly because quite a few of them do private surgeries too ie breast enhancements/reductions they usually in teams of 4 or 5 so maybe you could choose within the team?? Fortunately I've had brilliant surgeons and oncologists so far.
We googled the Consultant Surgeon but got the hospitla CV. I think we should look further by the sounds of it. We dont know who any of the rest of the team are. Should we know who they are? Which are the important people? Which ones should we expect to see. We have so far only met the consultant surgeon ... I dont know whether we should also expect to meet the Oncologist?
Well when I looked up my surgeon it showed the whole team, I would think this should be standard for most hospitals. Keep digging I didn't just stop at the hospital page I looked everywhere. You could also google the ratings of your hospital they are rated by CQC a legal requirement. One google on the medical front I don't mind recommending. The oncologist normally comes after surgery unless of course the treatment is required prior to surgery, as is in some cases. What type of Breast Cancer has your partner got?
Alternatively you within your rights to ask, I did that too, this is not something you rightly say you want to take lightly, it's very normal to want to know you have the best or at the very least a very capable surgeon
Thanks for the ideas. I have searched all over since your response but the only place I can find the surgeon is on the hospital website. There appears to be no trace anywhere else. I guess there is no private practice.
My partner has invasive lobular breast cancer which is oestregen fed. I have no idea what I just said lol. Maybe it will mean more to you.
I think I will be asking lots of questions at the appointment ... hope I dont naff them off!! Dont want a naffed off surgeon with a sharp knife near my partner !!
LOL yes I know what lobular BC is although not what I have :) Write down ALL and anything you can think of so when you go in you don't forget anything, its so easy to think you have it all in your head but when you in the appointment it becomes a blur! So nice to see a partner doing everything they can to give support at this much needed time.
Haha don't worry about naffing anyone off!!! You well within your rights to be a pain in the butt if you asking sensible questions.... by the way ANY question is sensible :)
I will say ... so far.... I have had nothing but exceptional surgeons and oncologists, so I would like to think being in the profession they are, that you will have nothing less.
Thanks for your advice. We have a session tonight to collate questions and get them written down. I hope like you that all of the treatment staff are good wherever they are and whoever you get treated by. We have found a BC support group that meets locally tomorrow, so if she is well enough after the bone scan tomorrow we will go there and see if they have anything we can learn from.
I have been so rude and not asked how you are? I hope you are well and working towards a strong and speedy recovery. I hope you are also coping mentally with it. I know my partner is putting on a brave face but when I wake in the middle of the night and see her awake I know that she isnt as composed as she would like people to think. The cracks also appear whenever anyone shows her sympathy. She isnt keeping secrets from me but I know she is not sharing everything probably through some misplaced desire to avoid me stress or worry.
