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How to choose you consultant / hospital

Caroline E
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Hello,

My partner has been diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer (Gleason 3 + 4). We have been told that he needs treatment (radio / surgery) but we haven't met the oncologist yet (8th May). 

The Macmillan Booklet is v helpful and also mentions to make sure you have choice in hospital / surgeon. 

I work for Macmillan where we hear about regional inequities etc.so I am even more mindful of not just accepting what we are given without having some agency in those decisions. 

My question is - where we can go for reliable data / information on the quality of cancer care in hospitals and consultant / surgeon review? 

We are in North Yorkshire. My partner received diagnosis from Airedale Hospital.  We are meeting an oncologist in Bradford St Luke's and he may receive treatment from Bradford or Leeds (which I am assuming is St James/ Jimmies?).

Many thanks for anything you can share.

Caroline 

  • Dear Caroline,

     

    Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. I’m Isobel one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist, on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I am sorry to read about your husbands diagnosis of early stage prostate cancer. I can appreciate your need for reliable information about the quality of care that is provided. It is natural that you would want the best care possible.

    Finding reliable information and data is so important I hope the following will be useful.

    Prostate Matters has this useful information about choosing a particular consultant and your legal rights.  

    Information on individual consultants, can also be found on The Private Healthcare information network (PHIN), if the also carry out private work in association with their NHS role.

     

    The care commission are the independent regulator of health and social care in England who publish inspection reports and ratings. You can search by hospital, and as his care may be in different hospital this could be useful.

    Health Quality Improvement Partnership publish audit information about hospitals. This link will take you to the national Prostate cancer audit. Please note the audit is covering the period 01/-9/19 – 31/03/22. Therefore, may not fully reflect what is happening in each area now, this was a period of time that included the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The Bradford teaching hospitals website has this information about the Western West urology team, which you may find informative, some have added further information about themselves. You may see that some link to the British Association of Urological Surgeons who have a search function for individual consultants.

    When you speak to the oncologist, you can ask questions about any reports and feedback that has been given. It can be useful to take time to prepare for these meetings and with your husband think about what is important for you to find out at this appointment.

    I do hope this information is helpful.  Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

    Best wishes,

    Isobel,

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist.

    Ref: IY/LA

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