Mr Drostan Cheetham

Written by a NHS patient at Watford General Hospital

Having been diagnosed with rectal cancer in May this year I was feeling extremely anxious and worried about my future and impact it would have on my family, but upon meeting Mr Cheetham I found him to be most reassuring and both kind and firm in his manner and approach. He was able to offer reassurance by explaining the options for treatment clearly. He made arrangements for my surgery to be scheduled within a few weeks following my diagnosis. He was patient and fully responsive to my questions as I was terrified of the idea of having a permanent stoma. He also explained the role of other members of his team (stoma care team and dedicated enhanced recovering team) whom I found to be very supportive, kind, and professional. He also clearly explained the role of his colleague in Oncology department and his reasons for referral so I would be better informed in my decision making. Mr Cheetham and his team at Watford General Hospital are focusing not only on the patient’s recovery from cancer surgery but also on the quality of life of a patient post-surgery which is commendable. Mr Cheetham could have offered me the more conventional pathway of pre-operative radiotherapy and then surgery to remove my cancer (in my particular type of cancer), but after discussion at Multidisciplinary Team Meeting (MDT) and further discussions, he carried out another endoscopic examination on me and only after confirming that it would be appropriate, though challenging to attempt the ‘straight to surgery’ option, arranged for another consultation to rediscuss my options paying particular attention to my anxiety regarding quality of life post-surgery. My final histology post surgery confirmed that after a meticulous surgery, Mr Cheetham was able to harvest 59 lymph nodes with my cancer specimen – this is in comparison to the recommended minimum of 12 lymph nodes to be harvested! I have been lucky that all these 59 lymph nodes showed no evidence of cancer. My cancer surgery was a great success, and I am waiting for further investigations to assess if I could have my ileostomy reversed soon. Both myself and my wife are extremely grateful for the excellent treatment I received. It is difficult to see how any aspect of the treatment, care, or advice I received could be further improved, because, in my experience, I had the finest care and attention I could have wished for. People like Mr Cheetham are an asset to Watford General Hospital and our NHS and I wish him all the best very best and many more years of service.

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Listening

Written by a NHS patient at Watford General Hospital

Mr Cheetham is a very approachable and down to earth individual with excellent listening skills and bedside manner. He has a natural ability to put you at ease while being open and honest when assessing the circumstances. Anyone who has been put into his care can rest assured you are in great hands. My outcome was complicated by previous surgery 20yrs prior. Mr Cheetham recognised the challenges he faced and having to balance this with my wishes. The outcome could not have have been better, I am so grateful for his expertise as an excellent surgeon. In terms of suggested improvements there was a minor disconnect with communication between the planned open surgery and key hole surgery stated by the anethatis, this was quickly clarified. As stated this is a minor issue but when you are about to undergo surgery small things like this become unnecessary big issues in your head. Other then that a great surgeon back with a great team.

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Listening

Written by a NHS patient at Watford General Hospital

In 2015, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. As anybody that has received such a diagnoses can attest, it's a scary thing. The mere mention of cancer is enough to strike fear into the hearts of most people. But, from my first meeting with Drostan Cheetham, I felt confident that I was in great hands. His clear, concise and comprehensive communication was what first impressed me, but everything that came after further reinforced my confidence in this man. The surgery was wonderful (and successful), the recovery and after-care was excellent, and the ongoing monitoring (five years just completed) was first class. Mr Cheetham really is a fantastic surgeon, the kind of person that we in the UK are very lucky to have in our national health service.

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Listening

Written by a patient at Watford General Hospital

Mr Cheetham has a rare skill in that he can communicate his strong technical and specialist knowledge to patients in a way that is easy to understand, process and make decisions upon. His explanations and context really helped me to deal with the situation presented and feel comfortable knowing that he was telling me everything I needed to know without being 'talked down' to. Let's face it, I was scared about suddenly finding I had bowel cancer, and his approach made it a softer landing in reality than it could have been. The leadership he displays with his multi-faceted team is truly impressive, but in an understated professional way. He clearly has high standards and this flows down through his team in terms of individual support when he wasn't physically around. The multiple touch-points that I had made me feel like the whole team was behind me and communicative, which is immensely reassuring when you have loads of questions, fears and face some potentially life-changing decisions. Following the surgery Mr Cheetham was again open and informative in his feedback on how the operation had gone and let the results demonstrate what is for me a positive outcome. I didn't feel rushed in any of the post-operation discussions at my bedside or in Outpatients either, he is genuinely engaging, open and willing to take the time that I needed. For me trust is a massive thing, and from the first time I met him to the most recent outpatient meeting I had and have a strong feeling of trust in him from his explanations, plans and outcomes. Some you might not want to hear, but his transparency and honesty did put me in a place where I felt I had all the facts to consider and act on. I can't make any constructive suggestions, as he has dealt with my case superbly, as has his team. If he can be given any greater decision making powers or try to delay his retirement that might be something to look at. Could you enlarge his team so more of the NHS can get to see how a professional, down to earth and supportive Clinical Director can make a difference to individual patients like me in what is a massive NHS machine? Heart-felt thanks from me and my family. John Moorhouse.

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Listening

Written by a patient at Watford General Hospital

Dr Cheetham is amazing, this was my first surgery and as a 24 year old girl I was traumatised at the the thought of having a stoma bag. Dr Cheetham was honest with me but also so kind and caring, he made me laugh when I didn’t think it was possible to laugh. The surgery went great! No stoma bag, the scar was big as it was open surgery due to Covid 19 but all the nurses complimented the scar saying how neat it was. I just want to say I am so grateful to Dr cheetham and his registrar Dr Fletcher and the rest of the team.

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