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Outstanding Care

Posted By cosy lodge7

"Outstanding Care"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Breast services Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Ear, Nose & Throat Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Macmillan Health and Well Being Campus Altnagelvin Area Hospital / radiology cancer services Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Radiotherapy cancer services

(as the patient),

End June 2025 my GP red flagged me for Breast Cancer query. Within a day or so I received text from Red Flag Unit advising me I'd been referred and would receive appt asap. Subsequenty I received appt with Altnagelvin Breast Clinic for Sept 3. Great staff at the Clinic looked after me. None of this upset me - I do everything on my own - I'm packed ready to go!

My diagnosis did not upset me by the way! Great Surgeon & Assigned Breast Cancer Nurse didn't quite know quite how to handle me - not the usual patient - very chirpy and accepting of everything. Didn't want any treatment if results were bad!  Where did they get me?? 

I began my journey of tests and referrals and the "get to find my way" round the Alnagelvin site!  Kept my steps up as I went from one part of Altnagelvin to another.  The site maps all began to come alive. And I can tell you that if you stop on any corridor - someone walking by will soon stop and tell you how to get to your destination or at times lead you there.  The Volunteers are fantastic, really friendly - Please talk to them - many are giving back for care they've had! When tests/examinations finished I had surgery mid October.  All good - staying healthy now in 2026!

Surgeon Harron, Breast Clinic Nurse Sweeney and all staff in the unit were/are so kind. MacMillan Unit Staff also made me feel very comfortable. The whole experience has been so great and as I also have attended Dietetic @ Shantallow, Physio @ Cancer Centre, Radiography, Ultra Sound (Kevin), Speech & Language, ENT.  I want to record my thanks and admiration to them all especially and of course domestic staff - very important! I appreciate my health every day - we don't know the day or the hour when we will need all these magnificent people and their care and expertise. Life is good - appreciate it and the people helping us!     

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Responses

Response from Lesley Finlay, Macmillan Health & Wellbeing Campus Manager, Acute Services, Cancer Services, WHSCT 3 days ago
Lesley Finlay
Macmillan Health & Wellbeing Campus Manager, Acute Services, Cancer Services,
WHSCT

Provide & signpost to information and support for people with cancer and their families

Submitted on 20/03/2026 at 12:52
Published on Care Opinion at 12:52

picture of Lesley Finlay

Hi cosylodge7

My name is Lesley and I manage the Macmillan Support Centre at Altnagelvin. Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I am delighted to hear you had such a positive experience and felt so well supported by all the staff and volunteers at all stages of your diagnosis and treatment.

We provide a range of support for anyone impacted by cancer here at Macmillan Centre so please feel free to call in or give us a call on 028 71611272 if we can help in any way

Best wishes

Lesley

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Response from Donna Kerlin, Consultant Radiographer (Breast), Diagnostics, WHSCT 3 days ago
Donna Kerlin
Consultant Radiographer (Breast), Diagnostics,
WHSCT

Submitted on 20/03/2026 at 12:53
Published on Care Opinion at 12:53

picture of Donna Kerlin

cosy lodge7,

Thank you so much for your feedback. Life is indeed precious and I'm glad that you did accept your treatment and can enjoy it to the full! It is so important that every patient is treated as an individual and listened to. Mr Harron and Aideen are indeed very good at what they do and your thanks will be passed along to them. It is so important to all the staff here in the breast unit that you feel comfortable and looked after especially as it is such a busy department.

I wish you all the very best now with your recovery and all your adventures in 2026.

Best wishes

Donna

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Response from Karen McAteer, Breast CNS Team Lead, Oncology, Western Health and Social Care Trust 3 days ago
Karen McAteer
Breast CNS Team Lead, Oncology,
Western Health and Social Care Trust

Breast Cancer specialist nurse

Submitted on 20/03/2026 at 13:27
Published on Care Opinion at 13:27

Hello cosylodge7

My name is Karen McAteer, I am the team lead for the breast care nurses. Thank you so much for this lovely feedback and for taking the time to do so. Your words are very appreciated and we are delighted you had a such a positive experience.

I will be sure to pass on your words to the wider team.

We wish you all the best in your recovery.

Kind regards

Karen

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Response from Volunteering & Work Experience Lead,, Primary Care and Older People's Services, WHSCT 3 days ago
WHSCT

Submitted on 20/03/2026 at 13:58
Published on Care Opinion at 13:58

Hi cosylodge7

Many thanks for taking the time to share your story. I'm delighted to hear you benefited from help from our volunteers and your correct to say they are a friendly and helpful bunch of people!

Best wishes for your continued recovery.

Geoff

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Update posted by cosy lodge7 (the patient)

Thank you

for the lovely responses to my story on behalf of the many staff who are involveded in my care @ WHSSB Altnagelvin. You must all be recognised for the great part each person pays through diagnosis, surgery, treatment etc to help patients as they continue on their journey onwards in whatever direction. In my own case I could "be killed for staying!" as the old saying goes.

Thanks again. Onwards and Upwards.

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