Some months ago, along with a few others I was present to support an elderly relative who had gone to hospital for treatment of a chest infection, and the X-Ray had showed cancer as well.

All was progressing fine in the preliminary screening, specialists' visits and so on up until a particular nurse happened to write 'anxious patient' in the notes and started to treat this very independent, very fit for age (fitter than many forty year olds), intelligent woman as a mental patient, as an old woman on her last legs who couldn't accept the inevitable death she was 'due'. The staff put her on the 'wait list' for assistance in the shower and so on. Even her medication (antibiotics) was stuffed around, late.

I will not go into the details of the change and the effect it had on the patient, reducing even a strong independent and courageous woman to self doubt and a pressing need to justify herself.

Anyhow, with skilled medical professionals who knew how to listen, all was restored quickly and a change was made to the nursing shift.

The sequel to the story is that this woman is cleared of cancer, scans showing no evidence after the course of radiotherapy. There was very nearly a different, sad outcome.

I have approached this thread from a different angle, but suffice it to say that Frank Quinlan has nailed it in his post on page 1. Think about his post, you could be next. Thanks, Frank.

Thank you onthebeach for your take on the matter. It's horrifying to think what might have happened to your relative - what a relief it didn't and next time you will be all the wiser and prepared. As for attitudes to certain illnesses, I will never forget working at St Vincents Hospitsal in the eighties and seeing people literally climbing over tables in the cafeteris to avoid AIDS patients. Things have moved on from there, but there is a terrible stigma attached to mental illness that means many will never seek help - it took me decades to do so and it has limited my life because of it. The previous years of self medication were better.