Biopsies and informed consent - experiences,information and support,after effects,variation,patient information leaflets

Hi Lyn,

I have read your post a couple of times but not sure what you mean re the generalise comment... it seems to be in relation to:

https://prostatecanceruk.org/about-us/news-and-views/2016/12/national-prostate-cancer-audit-results-most-men-happy-with-curative-treatment-but-overtreatment-still-a-problem

But that seems unlikely?

Could you clarify?

Thanks

Clare

Edited by member 22 Oct 2017 at 22:28  | Reason: Not specified

I think this thread has moved away from the essence of the initial post and has lost it's way!

We know from experiences members have posted over the years that the quality and quantity of information provided to patients at various stages varies considerably from one hospital to another, sometimes being well short of adequate. We also know that in some cases it takes too long to obtain appointments and obtain results. There are a number of reasons for this but mainly insufficiently well trained and too few medical staff within the NHS to cope with the number of patients, poor administration (which I have experienced first hand) and slow nationwide roll out of latest equipment are the main ones and lack of funding. So good though NICE guidelines may be, many hospitals cannot comply with them in some respects and still treat the ever increasing number of patients presenting with PCa.and many other diseases. There can be very few people in the UK who are unaware of the struggle the NHS has to cope with demand for all medical attention from GP's to Consultants. In cases where a patient considers he has been particularly badly treated he can take his case up with PALS and further. (We had one member - now sadly deceased -who organized a demonstration at his hospital if I recall correctly).

I don't think an individual will have much success in changing the situation as it is in the NHS. I am sure various bodies representing patients have tried. All UK Governments have sold the NHS short in training, retaining and funding sufficient medical staff, providing state of the art equipment and dealing with issues that have a knock on effect for the NHS. Perhaps this is why according to an article in the Daily Express the number of UK patients seeking treatment abroad has increased threefold.

As detailed under my bio, I had my primary treatment in Germany. They have beds awaiting patients there, not patients waiting for beds, also a much better doctor to patient ratio, more cutting edge equipment and much shorter waiting times. An efficient and much improved service could be provided in the UK too if there was the will and the Government made available funds although it would take time due to having to train medical staff or attract them from abroad. Most people in the UK say they love the NHS and many say they would be prepared to pay an additional ring fenced tax to improve it.

In the 9 or so years I have been a member of this forum I think the number of people who have been unhappy with the support/responses they have received could be counted on one hand, whereas numerous members, past and present, have signified their appreciation for the support and information provided by members, many of whom do so notwithstanding their own ongoing struggle with PCa and how it is severely affecting their lives.

Edited by member 24 Oct 2017 at 12:25  | Reason: Not specified