Do you see the same oncologist throughout your treatment?

Hi Butterfly52 . I was fortunate to have the same oncologist from day 1. I saw her regularly throughout my chemo and radiotherapy. After treatment finished, I had checks and meetings every 3 months for 2 years . Then moved to 6 month consultations up to 6 years before being discharged. That was over ten years ago and I can understand how things may have changed over the years. I hope all goes well with your brother. Best wishes.

I expect it depends on the size of the department. Hospitals will never guarantee you will see the same person each time, it is impossible to do that in NHS, although in my experience (staff and patient) they do try to accommodate patient preference. In theory, whoever you see should have all the necessary information to hand to follow through. There may be all sorts of reasons as to who you see on any particular visit. We all prefer continuity with someone we trust, but sometimes it can work out well seeing someone new. 

Even when I didn't see the consultant in person, usually the doctor or nurse I saw went to confer with them before ending the appointment. 

Thank you Riley, its also great to hear you were discharged.

Thanks Teasswill, I appreciate that there might be occasions where you don't see the same person. However the impression I got is that you see a mixture of people which whilst I can appreciate sometime it is good to get a potentially different perspective, I think constant change isn't so great.

To begin with, I mainly saw the same oncologist, especially when it was important to check how chemo was working or affecting me. She decided what treatment I'd be having (probably before we first met). I made sure I understood what was going on and have always had a good, professional  relationship with her.

I'm at a big London teaching hospital and sometimes see a more junior doctor who is part of the team. I have been totally satisfied with their service over the past 4 years and am now on 6 monthly review. They all have access to the same notes about me and they are all up to date with the Mutidisciplinary Team Meetings (in the early days the medics - oncology, Urology etc - discuss us at weekly meetings), as well as their own team reviews.

I deliberately told my GP to refer me to that hospital rather than one more local to me as I knew the Urology department was well run. I did also have a private second opinion  with a specialised cancer hospital just to be sure the treatment I would be having would be the same in both hospitals.

I don't expect to build up much of a rrapport with people who have a huge caseload although I get on well with the head of the oncology team. She sees me when she wants to check how things are progressing, when, for example, the immunotherapy we began after the cystectomy provoked side-effects that were not worth carrying on with. I also saw her at my 2 year post op review when she extended the gaps from quarterly to half-yearly review. Last time it was someone else.

If she needs to focus on another patient booked for the same day who is having difficulties or maybe bad news then of course I'm happy to see one of the juniors though it's not something I have any say over. I have never been reviewed by a nurse alone although I have talked to them when eg I need to sort out something. I trust them too. 

She has also referred me as needed on to other specialisms (eg cardiology, vascular etc re side effects or things that have come up in my regular CT scans and has been excellent at chasing them up. 

Since I first was referred to this  hospital I have been seen, operated on and reviewed by 2 consultant urologists (and their teams) as well as the oncologists (plus many other consultants as above). They all have access to my patient record, correspondence etc and I have never felt at a disadvantage, quite the reverse.

If one only ever wanted to meet the same consultant oncologist that would probably mean going privately. Not something most of us could afford. And having had private treatment for a variety of things in the past I would worry that it would not be as comprehensive as I am having now in the NHS.

I hope some of this is helpful. I am sorry that things have not been as straightforward in your brother's case.

All the best,

Latestart

Hello Butterfly, My oncology treatment was in 2017. I did in theory 'see' the same consultant for the 6 weeks or so before I was handed over to Urology. However, my Oncology consultant was shared between three other major hospitals. Intermediate appointments were usually with specialists who actually carried out the treatment and often it was the superb Macmillan nurse who scooted around to keep information flowing. At all levels this flexible arrangement worked well. Even when handed over to Urology, it was evident that the two departments kept in close contact. I can't say the same for cardiology though. I don't think it is possible for the overloaded NHS to guarantee that the same consultant or doctor will  see a patient and have not heard of a request for a specific consultant being a feasible option. Best wishes, Ray  

Thanks Ray, I spoke to a CNS and she was able to reassure me.

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply Latestart,

Its good to hear your positive story. I spoke to a CNS and she was able to reassure me so I will see how things pan out at my brother's appointment.