Amanda's story

DrDoctor was a godsend for me, it helped me to take control over my care at a really difficult time in my life. I work for myself and working while in treatment meant I not only had to keep track of my own appointments, but my work life too. I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in August 2014 at Yeovil Hospital. At the time, my youngest daughter was just two months old and I was on maternity leave. I have two other children, who were 14 and 16 years old. My 16-year daughter was going into her GCSEs which meant lots of parent meetings, early mornings at school and a packed schedule.

My diagnosis threw a spanner into the works. I had a mole on my leg that had changed shape during my pregnancy and wanted to be referred to a dermatologist. After I was referred, it was confirmed that I had malignant melanoma. Because I had just had a baby too, my hormones were all over the place, dealing with the diagnosis was a complete mind mess up. On the day of my operation in October 2014, I was driving down to Exeter for 7 am, while feeding her to the last minute. The stress of the situation and the impact it was having on my family was immense.

I could never have imagined that something like this would happen to me. My diagnosis was a life-changing moment, I am not the same person as I was before, I’ve realised that not everything is in your hands, but what matters is how you deal with it.

After my operation, I had to go to lots of appointments with my Consultants that happened to practice at different hospitals in the area. My Consultants would book my appointments and send them to me the traditional way, by letter in the post. In December 2014, Yeovil brought in the DrDoctor system, which allowed me to keep track of my appointments much more easily.

I could log into the platform when I thought I had an appointment and double check the location and times easily – instead of sifting through letters to find the right one. It meant that I had one less thing to worry about, if I thought I had an appointment at 11 o’clock at night, I could check in online and see, instead of worrying about it in the morning, it was convenient.

Anyone with chronic conditions, or who must visit hospital regularly, can benefit from DrDoctor.

I think it’s brilliant, in a really difficult time where you’re looking after your family, everyday life and hospital visits, DrDoctor means one thing less to worry about.

Amanda, Sports Massage Therapist

DrDoctor is live in NHS Trusts around the UK including Guy’s and St Thomas’, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Nottingham University Hospital and Frimley Health. We look forward to being able to help more NHS Trusts make a difference to their patient’s lives in 2018.