I am in the same boat as many of you

Hello Dartmoor 

It's great to read posts when people are happy with the NHS - I know we have many people who aren't happy with them, but it's a sign of the times of an overworked system.

My personal journey (you can read this by clicking on my avatar) has had some delays but at the end of the day the NHS saved my life so I have nothing but praise for them.

Off the Community I have been working with others on a project to help people navigate the NHS and improve their own journey - with luck this should help newly diagnosed become more assertive, something I am very passionate about.

I hope you continue to have great service from the NHS.

Best wishes - Brian.

A worthwhile project, I'm sure!

I am only just beginning my journey, Brian, and read that it may become necessary to be one's own advocate, rather than merely accept what is offered.  Being assertive is sometimes necessary in life, but is not generally regarded as the British way.

North Americans are generally assertive, bordering on what we would term "rudeness", so I believe it is necessary to find the right approach - or face indignation from those we are talking to.

Hi Millibob (Brian)

My concern is that as more people become assertive those who remain more passive (or don't have someone in their corner fighting for them) will get left behind & end up at the back of the queue. 

In an ideal world there would be no need to be assertive as we should all receive the best service from the NHS as a matter of course.  Having a designated pathway to navigate the NHS is a positive step in the right direction.  Being more digital (for those that are happy with it) will also help speed things up.  In this day & age it seems such a waste of time & money to send appointments etc by letter when a simple email would be far quicker & less prone to getting lost / delayed.  

Best Wishes

Brian

I must agree with Brian's opinion about NHS letters.

I would much rather receive communications by EMail because we get our mail delivered every two or three days.

It is only a matter of time before appointments are missed, due to late or lost snail mail.

HiYa Brian (Buzzers) 

And that my friend is always my fear when I help people on the Community, as we are helping them to push for their own treatment - others are being left behind.

Do we try and push Gleason 9/10 in ahead of Gleason 6/7?

Should people with Advanced Prostate Cancer be seen earlier that those with just Prostate Cancer?

There are many questions and we don't have answers to them all!! .

As for going digital, yes I am 69 and all for it - our GP is all digital, you have to book your appointments through the app, no calling in, no telephone calls to book an appointment - yet the other day when I was in - a dear old lady was banging her walking stick on the counter and with a burst of "industrial language" said "I don't have a f**king mobile phone and what's this ape??". I left the receptionist to it!!

Again a modern day problem - and again some folk are going to be left out in the cold!!

And yes I do echo your sentiments.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi

I ticket text or email.  I get my appointment by text now and also available on my NHS app.  Worth looking into that. Best wishes

Hi Buzzers

to be honest I couldn’t knock the NHS treatment wise, I had nothing but excellent service & treatment but from a contact point of view it could really have been a lot better. 

Following my biopsy I received a letter in the post to see my consultant to discuss my treatment options before I got the appointment notice via the “patients know best”  site 3 days later to see the nurse to be told my results. Finding out you have cancer by letter isn’t something I’d recommend for anyone.

There is a huge amount of good in the NHS but there are also elements which need to be looked at for the betterment of its users.

Treatment & care (the real important bit) 10/10

Communication 6/10

All the best

John

Brian, my GP is abysmal.  Yesterday I had someone from 'AgeUK' out to assess me.  She was concerned and asked if I would give her permission to contact my GP.  I agreed.

In the afternoon she rang me back and said she had spoken to my GP, who wants to see me a.s.a.p.

Knowing how useless they are for making appointments over the phone, I went in person to try and make the appointment.

"Oh we only do appointments over the phone, you'll have to ring back at 8:30 tomorrow morning".

I told her that my GP wants to see me a.s.a.p. and asked if I could book an appointment there and then.

"Our phone lines are down so you can't ring.  Use the econsult service online".

She checked and said that my GP had some pre-bookable appointments for Friday, but she wouldn't book me one.

So at 8:30 this morning I tried to call, managed to get through only to be told that the surgery was closed today.

I left them a choice message on the answerphone.

I agree about getting hospital appointments emailed, as in September my Colonoscopy had been moved forward but I had never received the letter.

Is it the hospital admin or Royal Mail to blame???

Bienvenue Pierre au club auquel personne ne veut appartenir! (Thanks Google translate) 

It's easy to say and harder to do, but try not to worry about small changes in small numbers. With this disease very often the treatment and worry are worse than the disease. 

Try to keep enjoying your life, and look forward to that retirement. It's great. 

JoBe, I had a thought Google Translate would pop up it's ugly head.  I do find it very helpful though.