It was mid October 2021 when Ray started getting painful mouth ulcers and was referred to QVH by his dentist. After the initial consultation Ray was told that he had mouth cancer.

Ray's surgery at QVH, a few weeks after his initial consultation, involved a 14 hour operation with a theatre team of more than 12, who removed the cancer under his tongue and around the front of his lower jaw.

Ray said “It was terrifying, especially as everything happened so quickly. I am 72 years old and I have never spent a day in hospital before this. When I went to the dentist I thought I’d just be sent home with some antibiotics. I never expected this. All of the staff have been lovely. My consultant is just incredible. I trust him implicitly, and feel very privileged to have been able to be treated here by him and his team.”