Dr Jonathan McAleese

Dr Jonathan McAleese 2019-04-01 Person 1 5 0

When diagnosing my mother in December 2009 Dr McAleese was very vague and avoided the word cancer when discussing my mother’s condition ! My husband and sister where present when the results were being discussed . Rather than a tactful and truthful diagnosis , terms like “ominous”, “sinister” were used . I myself had to contact the hospital the next day to find out the findings of tests .... lung cancer ! When options where discussed we asked for advice , obviously not wanting to influence our decision he explained that the choice was my mother’s. After a lengthy discussion and effects of treatment on my mother’s health she made her decision . As a family we felt Mr McAleese reluctant to explain the effects of the treatment available. Whereas when we spoke to the thoracic surgeon he outlined the pros and cons of the surgery. After my mother received a 2 week programme of radiotherapy she attended 2 appointments with Mr McAleese . On both occasions Mr McAleese informed my mother that her condition had not progressed . In November 2010 my mother started to experience extreme lethargy and feeling generally unwell. I contacted the Bridgewater Suite and another scan was performed. When we returned Mr McAleese said it was not good news ! My mother did not want to know the details and I spoke with McAleese on my own , he informed me the cancer had spread to her liver and she would receive only palliative care from thereon in. The point that I am trying to make is that from the start Mr McAleese was extremely vague and uninformative with the facts of my mother’s condition. For someone who has to inform people of a life changing/threatening condition I would expect a better knowledge of people skills and a sense of empathy, which unfortunately in my family’s case we did not experience !