Dr Jennifer Newman

Written by a NHS patient at Market Street Surgery

Early October 2019 I started experiencing slight indigestion. In late October 2019 I saw Dr Newman at our surgery as I required a repeat prescription for something else. As I was leaving, Dr Newman asked me if there was anything else, I happened to mention my slight indigestion and after a few more questions she requested me to have a blood test and an ultrasound scan at our local hospital. She said she would see me the following week. I took the blood test the following day, the next day I received a telephone call to attend the surgery where one of the other surgery doctors informed me that the blood test had shown an indicative sign of metastatic cancer and I was going to be referred to a consultant. The following day I had the ultrasound scan which didn’t show anything particularly major so this was very confusing. Early the next week I had a telephone call from our hospital trust asking me to see a consultant in a weeks time, I accepted. The next day was my follow up appointment with Dr Newman and she was very unhappy as to the lack of urgency that she thought my situation merited. She had us wait in reception while she made enquiries. When we were called back, we were told to immediately go to our local hospital, with a letter from her. At first they did not want to admit me but were eventually convinced that I needed investigation as an inpatient. That evening I was taken down for a CT scan. At approximately midnight I was then seen by an Oncologist who told me I had ‘a shadow on my Pancreas’. Dr Newman’s early suspicions and diagnosis were well vindicated! The next day an MRI scan confirmed a cancerous growth on my Pancreas. Luckily this had been detected early, thanks to Dr Newman, and I was referred to Blackburn for further treatment. The consultant surgeon at Blackburn explained to us the seriousness of my condition and, because it is not detected early enough, why Pancreatic Cancer was such a fatal cancer. When I told her how Dr Newman had pushed for me to be seen, she said how very fortunate I had been. After an 8 Hour operation (Whipples Procedure) and 10 days recuperation I was sent home. Shortly after I began 6 months Chemotherapy to try to prevent reoccurrence. It is now 2 years on from my initial diagnosis. I have no delusions, the chances of reoccurrence are high. One thing I do know is that without Dr Newman’s excellent diagnostic skills, diligence, persistence and tenacity, I probably would not be writing this today. I have had, and I still am receiving ‘greatcare’ and wish to thank Dr Newman and all of the staff at our Medical Practice for their help and assistance in these very trying times!

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