Mrs Katie Wass 2019-03-27 Person 5 5 0

I first met Katie soon after been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was extremely worried about my future. Katie was excellent in explaining the technical terms relating to my condition - PSA, Gleason, T3 (a) etc. I had a list of questions and she was very patient and listened while I went through my list. She explained the options available to me - surgery or hormone/ radiotherapy. She was present while I had an initial consultation with each of the consultants for these treatments, and explained to me issues I did not understand. She explained the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure to me and helped me to arrive at a decision to have surgery. I had several subsequent questions and I rang her on several mornings. Again, she always listened and answered in clear terms my questions. She proved to be correct on several occasions and thus I came to have complete trust in her. After the operation, I was worried about a few matters and my wife rang her ( I had given Katie permission to talk to my wife). Katie came to visit me on the surgical ward and discuss these matters with me. My understanding is that this was not part of her job description but she undertook this extra service as part of her devotion to patient care. (I must add that this last comment should not be seen as a criticism of the staff on the surgical ward, nor imply that Katie was interfering with my post-op care). I have seen Katie after being discharged and she has explained to me the likely outcomes over the next year. I appreciate the way Katie always provides straight answers - I want to hear the truth, not vague platitudes to make me feel better. Katie in my opinion has fully fulfilled the role of 'key worker'. In summary, would I recommend her? do I trust her ? did she listen ? - totally to all three.