Breast cancer patient thanks trust for care during Covid-19

Judy Green

A breast cancer patient has thanked staff at Rochdale Infirmary after her recent surgery and treatment was successfully completed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Judy Green, a podiatrist from Whitefield, was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in mid March following a routine mammogram. Judy was told that she needed surgery and radiotherapy, and despite the impact of Covid-19 hitting services at around the same point in time, her care was delivered quickly and effectively by a team of professionals from across the region, after services were redesigned to enable patients to receive uninterrupted care.

Judy said: “It was obviously a shock to be diagnosed, but for it to happen at a time when services were about to be placed under such extreme pressure was even more unfortunate. But despite the challenges faced by the NHS during this time, my treatment was excellent throughout. I received the surgery I needed, because the hospital trust was able to respond and adapt, enabling patients like me to access the urgent care I needed.”

Rochdale Infirmary, part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, was remodelled at the start of the pandemic so that patients across the region requiring urgent cancer-related procedures are able to receive that treatment, saving lives and supporting the Greater Manchester Cancer Strategy.

Judy added: “I have been shown respect and dignity at every appointment and procedure, everything was explained to me in detail and I was given the opportunity to ask questions whenever I needed to allay any fears I may have had. Nothing was too much trouble for staff at Rochdale Infirmary and across the Pennine Acute Trust to make me feel comfortable and relaxed, and the nurses in particular were so helpful and informative.”

Judy is now recovering at home following her successful surgery, and will continue to receive follow up care and surveillance from her consultant and nursing team. And to pass the time during her lockdown recovery, and until she can return to work at her private podiatry practice, the mum of two and grandmother of four has joined her local ScrubHub volunteer organisation, making fabric scrubs outfits for hospital staff across Bury, Oldham and Rochdale to support them during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

She added: “I would like to thank all of the NHS workers I have met recently, for their friendly yet professional approach during such uncertain times. Many of the staff had moved from their usual roles and locations to help where needed without complaint, and I will always be grateful for this exemplary treatment and will continue to be an appreciative supporter of our NHS.”

Steve Taylor, Managing Director for Bury and Rochdale Care Organisation explained: “As the Covid-19 crisis began to accelerate it became clear to us that there was a need for us to respond and adapt quickly in order to create capacity for patients requiring urgent cancer surgery in Greater Manchester.

“By remodelling parts of the hospital we are now able to treat cases which would have been dealt with at some of our other sites including Royal Oldham and North Manchester General.

“It’s fantastic news that Mrs Green has been successfully treated and is now recovering well at home, we wish her the very best and continued good health in the future.”