Sheffield Teaching Hospitals has become the first Trust in Yorkshire and the Humber to be awarded European Centre of Excellence status for its neuroendocrine tumour (NET) service.
The service has become a European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) Centre of Excellence following an extensive review covering the quality of service, treatments, operating procedures, resources and staff.
NETs are tumours that develop in the cells of the neuroendocrine system (the system which produces hormones and releases them into the bloodstream).
Peter Shone, 66, of Barnsley, has been having treatment at the Endocrine Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital for six years. He has had four operations to remove five tumours from his left arm.
Peter, who worked for the NHS for 36 years in estates, supplies and health and safety, said: “I worked at a hospital for all that time and I had never heard of neuroendocrine tumours. When I was told it was cancer I felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, because when you hear the word ‘cancer’ you fear the worst.
“But the work the surgeons have done is absolutely marvellous, and the staff have been absolutely brilliant from consultants to nurses and admin staff. The department has always done everything it possibly can to arrange things for me. There have been a couple of occasions when I have needed appointments quickly and nothing has been too much trouble.”
