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At times the communication could have been better

Posted By rcdsal221

"At times the communication could have been better"

About: Victoria Hospital / Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS)

(as a staff member posting for a patient/service user),

Following a referral by my GP I was quickly contacted by the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Team at Victoria Hospital.  The staff on the RCDS team were very fast at dealing with my case and organised various tests and scans.  The initial scan was not clear so I had a second one.  The scan showed a slight issue so I was referred to another department.  The result of this was an issue with my blood sodium levels plus other complications and I was admitted to hospital. This all meant that I would need chemotherapy of some kind.

The RCDS part of my care was very fast but then it took some time for other departments to come back to me. I wondered if a broader pair of eyes on my initial scans would have meant things happened more quickly after the RCDS scanning. 

I am now on my third round of chemotherapy and all the staff are very attentive and pleasant.  My care has been very good but at times the communication after the RCDS could have been better. 

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Responses

Response from Murdina MacDonald, Lead Cancer Nurse, Cancer Services, NHS Fife yesterday
Murdina MacDonald
Lead Cancer Nurse, Cancer Services,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 28/01/2026 at 09:54
Published on Care Opinion at 09:58

Dear rcdsal221

My name is Murdina MacDonald and I am the Professional Lead Nurse for our RCDS service Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are very grateful to you for doing so, particularly while you are undergoing treatment.

We are really pleased to hear that you were contacted quickly following your GP referral and that our team were attentive and organised in arranging your initial tests and scans. It is also encouraging to know that the care you are receiving now, including during chemotherapy, feels attentive and supportive.

At the same time, we are sorry that at points the communication after our assessment did not feel as clear or timely as it should have been. We recognise how unsettling periods of waiting and uncertainty can be, especially when care transitions between services. Your reflection about whether wider or earlier review of scans might have supported faster onward decisions is an important one.

Your feedback helps us reflect on how we communicate results, explain next steps, and stay connected with patients while other departments are completing assessments. We are committed to learning from experiences like yours to strengthen coordination, improve clarity, and ensure people feel informed and supported throughout their diagnostic journey and not just during the initial phase.

Thank you again for sharing your experience so thoughtfully. We wish you all the very best with your ongoing treatment and recovery, and we will ensure your feedback informs our continued service improvement.

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