Fantastic care

SIR – I recently had to attend the breast care unit at St Albans City Hospital, for investigations into a breast lump, following an urgent referral. The referral itself, from my GP took less than 12 days. Obviously, I was somewhat anxious – but the staff

SIR - I recently had to attend the breast care unit at St Albans City Hospital, for investigations into a breast lump, following an urgent referral.

The referral itself, from my GP took less than 12 days. Obviously, I was somewhat anxious - but the staff and surroundings were superb!

The unit itself appears to be a self-contained 'off-shoot' in the ante-natal/gynaecology side of the outpatient department. This helped me to feel a degree of privacy and seclusion, out of the 'hustle and bustle' of it all.

It seemed quite 'homely' - it was well decorated, relaxed, everything was on hand - it felt purpose-built, and there was plenty of information/support material on display.

The receptionists were friendly and supportive, as were the nurses in the department. They went out of their way to make me feel comfortable.

The investigations were carried out promptly, sequentially, and compassionately - all in the same morning.

The staff were lovely! Everything was explained to me, everyone introduced themselves, and everything was clean.

During my investigations the staff were kind, professional, compassionate, and my dignity was maintained at all times.

I would just like to say a big thank you - to the receptionists, the nurses in the clinic, the radiographer, the consultant radiologist, Mr Raymond the surgeon, and to the nurse and the radiographer helper, whose hands I gripped so tightly when the biopsy needle went in!

As a nurse myself, I feel proud to be on the receiving end of such a service in St Albans.

CAROL RALPH

Jersey Farm

St Albans