Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

I had several episodes of superficial thrombosis over several years and in December 2025, I was admitted to Southend Hospital, Essex with double embolisms. A PET scan showed a 13mm nodule that was next to blood vessels but the lymph nodes were clear of cancer. I was advised that to remove the nodule, it had to be done at St Barts via the RATS (robotic arm) procedure. I kept chasing up the appointment and ended up with waiting 10 weeks for a biopsy. The consultant appeared to be very professional and had great experience with robotics in the medical field and completed the first microwave ablation technique in the UK. I had noted on his profile after the operation, that if I was paying privately that an appointment would have been much sooner. I also waited 4 weeks for the results and was devasted to learn that it is stage 3 lung cancer! The consultant had offered a phone consultation but with hind sight, I should have seen him face to face as it was difficult to hear. I assumed after the long wait, he would have taken a whole lobe out but he only took a segment out. By then it was a highly aggressive BRAF mutation on the liwer lobe, it had invaded 3 nodes, blood vessels, air spaces and the margin was not clear! All putting me at a massive risk of reoccurence! After several weeks and waiting for both hospitals MDT (Multidisciplinary Team Meeting) and no further treatment yet, St Barts has said they now believe the margin was clear. That still does not help the invasion that has reached the middle sternum and invasion of the other areas. I am very upset and dissappointed to hear all of this. The prognosis is awful, despite them talking about better treatments! I feel robbed of my life now due to incompetence.and lack of care! I will never be happy knowing the cancer is circulating my body. 6 months and still no treatment. Don't be fobbed off by these hospitals not screening you for cancer when you have repeated episides of blood clots. 20% of people with cancer has blood clots. Don't allow them to make you wait for an urgent biopsy. Don't think you get better care in a London Hospital. I found out the other day that the tumour removal could have been done locally via VATS (video robotics) but the Southend consultant never told me this as I thought it would have to have been open surgery. I have never smoked in my life and always felt fairly fit. A 6 month wait is a long long time.

Leanne Cross was excellent. Outstanding nursing and compassionate care. Urology dept.

I had an operation for a bladder repair and also had a hysterectomy it was performed by Miss sahar Mohamed she was kind and throughly professional and gave me so much care before and after surgery I came to see her for my follow up appointment yesterday and she explained everything about my operation I would throughly recommend this doctor

My husband and I visited the Audio Department on the 18th and 19th March 2024. We can't praise the people there high enough. We had a hearing appointment on the 18th with a lovely lady called Chloe who even managed to fit us in for a hearing test when we would normally have to make a further appointment - she was really helpful. On the 19th March we returned and my husband was fitted with a blue tooth hearing aid to replace his others. Karen looked after us explaining everything really well and he was fitted with the new blue tooth hearing aid. Really impressed with the care we were given.

In the Medical Health Liaison Suite the senior staff member was extremely rude and would just talk over people and not listen. I heard home tell one patient who said they still had thoughts of self harming, that he (the staff member) said I’ve give you the skills so deal with it! My wife (the patient) was offered nothing to eat all day yet in her assessment she was asked if she was eating ok! 3 staff members saw 3 patients all day and with 3 hours to go till end of shift the senior staff member was heard to say they didn’t have time to see another patient that day!

Southend University Hospital has always given my husband Mr. H Kok excellent care, Doctors nurses , & staff are very kind & caring, April 2923 The Ambulance team & UCLT came every day to give my husband tests , & professional care, Amazing , Thank You team Mrs Sylvia Kok

I had a very good team looking after me. Nice people. Really helped me through my mental health problems.

I was treated with respect and dignity and felt safe and looked after Candy one of the nurses on shift has known me for a while and we have had our differences but she is honest and an asset to the NHS and this hospital.

I attended the Radiology Department for a 6 monthly surveillance ultrasound on the 16/08/2021 and was cared for by Dr Kaushalkumar Suthar, who was assisted by Malcolm Murray and observed by Dr Baranacmea. As always, the scan was very thorough; and I was treated with respect, kindness and excellent care and left feeling reassured. The results were sent to my GP within 3 hours, who then texted me the outcome, which meant that I wasn't left feeling anxious and worried, which is amazingly responsive. I must also mention the Ultrasound reception staff, who have always been welcoming and acknowledge your presence, even if they are busy dealing with someone else. Thank you.

I have recently been under the care of ENT and Ultrasound and I have to say that the care has been wonderful. From Dr Tan in Ultrasound, Dr Abed ENT, Dr Payne Pathology, the Consultants secretary Karen and the reception and nursing team in each department, the care, thoroughness, respect, kindness and reassurance has been exemplary. Thank you.