A SKIN cancer survivor says research by Macmillan that ranks Whiston and St Helens hospitals as offering outstanding care is fully justified.

Lilian Waring, 73, praised doctors and nurses following a report by the charity that placed the NHS Trust as fourth in a league table that rated cancer patients’ experience across England.

The hospitals were the highest placed in the north west.

Lilian, from Billinge, was diagnosed in February 2014 after a mole in her leg became cancerous.

She was treated for melanoma and referred to Mr Benson, a consultant plastic surgeon, before undergoing surgery at Whiston.

Lilian told the Star: “I was extremely nervous and upset before my operation. Mr Benson came to me, talked me through everything and explained what was going to happen, he really put my mind at ease. I can’t thank him and all of his team enough.

She added: “I was treated with such kindness and comfort, I couldn’t have had better care. The speed of my treatment was fantastic. I have regular follow up appointments at St Helens Hospital to make sure everything continues to go well."

Fay Scullion, general manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern England, said: “We know that the support and care people receive is as important as their actual treatment and can make all the difference between coping with cancer and finding it a real struggle.”

The researched examined patients’ experiences during treatment, such as how well diagnosis and treatment options were explained and whether they felt treated with respect.

Lillian added: “To be named amongst the best hospitals in the country, above specialist cancer hospitals is an amazing achievement, but from, my experience, it is fully deserved.”