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"A Specialist Haematologist"

About: Bunbury Hospital / Outpatients Clinic

(as the patient),

I have had 2 PET scans recently, 1 late last year and 1 early this year. Both scans have shown that I have a blood cancer. The Haematologist organised a biopsy of 1 of my lymph nodes, which the report stated that it wasn't a viable sample and warranted further investigation.

When I visited the Haematologist for the results, I recall they took a quick glance and said you don't have cancer, you might have an infection. They were seemingly shocked that I wasn't happy with their diagnosis.

Unfortunately, I have had Lymphocyte Dominant Hodgkins Lymphoma in the past and I have been experiencing the exact same symptoms that I experienced before. This is why I wasn't happy. I expected the Haematologist to refer me for another biopsy, to try to locate the cancer, not seemingly waste my time being tested for infections. I tried to explain to the Haematologist that the type of cancer I had in the past was very hard to diagnose and that they needed to do an excisional biopsy, as this was the only way my cancer was located originally.

I felt the Haematologist refused point blank to listen to me. This stressed me out greatly, as I am worried that my cancer will become aggressive, as it did last time. I have had issues with this Haematologist ever since I was sent to them by my previous Haematologist.....because I feel they just don't listen to what I am trying to explain to them about my previous experiences.

They keep telling my previous Haematologist that I was treated for Classical Hodgkins, or Nodular Sclerosing Classical Hodgkins, which is wrong. I was treated for Lymphocyte Dominant Hodgkins. 

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Responses

Response from Steven Elvy, Outpatient Manager, Bunbury Hospital, WACHS - South West 3 weeks ago
Steven Elvy
Outpatient Manager, Bunbury Hospital,
WACHS - South West
Submitted on 8/04/2024 at 12:50 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 1:12 PM


picture of Steven Elvy

Dear mayms53,

Thank you for providing feedback on your recent experience attending outpatient appointments at Bunbury Hospital. I am sorry that your experience with the Haematology Clinic did not live up to your expectations. You have raised several concerns in your feedback, and it would be good to have the South West Integrated Cancer Service investigate your concerns further.

Your care is very important to us, and we would like to gather some more details, so we can investigate the issue further. If you are comfortable discussing the issue, please contact Ashlene Foxcroft -Clinic Nurse Specialist -Haematology Oncology on 0448 928 112, or the Patient Engagement Coordinator 9722 1521. Once again, thank you for providing feedback on this issue, as it provides an opportunity to make improvements to our service delivery and meet the needs of our patients.

Steven Elvy

Outpatient Manager – Bunbury Hospital

WA Country Health Service – South West

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by mayms53 (the patient)

I am already in contact with Ashlene. I will be discussing these issues with her when she rings me back today.

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