Anyone had a consultant they didn't get on with

All hospitals have PALS and that's where I made a complaint and advised christine to do the same a few weeks ago. I also copy my complaint to the Chief Executive. I think christine complained to PALS but I'm sure she'll get back to us to confirm that

hi jan how long did you have to wait to get a 2nd opinion as i have been told it could be six months which seems a long time to me and at a hospital quite a way from me too

6 months is ridiculous christine but it makes me think the consultant you have been referred to is extremely popular. Do you know his/her name? If you do send me a personal message and I'll see if I know him or I may know someone who does because I am in touch with other nurses in other NHS Trusts x

His name is Andrew Williams at St Thomas i hope he is better than the last one i saw who was not sympathetic at all and literally had no time for me so hoping he is better than that

I think I've heard of him and heard him speak at a conference a few years ago. I'll double check because if it is him he is lovely and came across as very caring. I'll get back to you because I have the information at home x

christine he isn't who I thought he was but I've been told he is an excellent consultant who has undertaken a lot of research into pelvic floor. His job title (among a few) is Gynaecologist but he is a qualified urogynaecologist and specialises in pelvic floor and colorectal surgery. I spoke to someone who knows of him. I think you will be in good hands. Start writing down all your questions as you think of them so you get the most out of your appointment even though it may not be for a while.

The last consultant i saw the horrible one wouldn't even let me speak let alone ask questions and i only saw him for 10 minutes i dont think you get a long time to ask too many questions thats what i am afraid off been through it all before i hope this consultant lets me speak at least as the other one didnt

I know your last consultant wasn't very pleasant at all and sounds as though he lacked communication skills however a good doctor will give you all the time you need. That's why outpatient clinics are always running late.

It might be worth speaking to his secretary if you can be flexible and attend a short notice cancellation appt.  Friend in uk had an appt last week like this after being given an appt for the end of May.

I found it really helped me for my appt yesterday to have my list of questions and concerns in a typed out list (largish font 16). I included a separate sheet outlining what my average day was like, symptoms, effects on quality of life, issues with work, sleep, intercourse etc.  I left this with the consultant.

Really hope you get a more receptive and positive outcome this time. I would also be prepared for requesting a referral for another specialty to review if they can't help you (don't know if you can do this in uk or if you need to go back to GP).

I've already suggested christine rings the secretary on another thread but I've since found out only yesterday that in most cases the secretary has no control over the appointments anymore, there is now a separate department that deals with them in most of the NHS hospitals. It became too much work for them probably because people like me who work in the NHS were encouraging it.

Sorry also meant to add in a lot of cases women don't know which consultant they have been referred to because GP referrals often to to the appointment department and a consultant is allocated there. This is to make sure work is equally shared.

That makes a lot of sense Matron, it has been over 5yrs since I worked in the nhs and I know things have changed a lot.  The sharing things out fairly seems like a good plan, probably protects those who find it hard to say no.

Things where I am at the moment are very different, very personable and pretty much no waiting.  Yesterday I was chatting to one of the junior doctors and he was asking what it was like.  I did mention that the waiting times were an issue.

I have been watching the bbc2 programme Hospital, the strain that nhs is under seems tremendous if the portrayal is reflective of the NHS in general.  When I left it was gruelling and we were severely over stretched and knew then that I wanted to move into primary care. 

I watched that programme as well, it was fascinating and I hope it makes patients appreciate the NHS more. Waiting times are crazy at the moment and watching that programme helps you understand why and seeing what a difficult job all the staff have trying to make things work for the patients. Everyone is overstretched and in some ways I am pleased to have retired. It was interesting that last year all retired nurses received a letter from the Department of Health asking if they would return to work in their local hospital, that's how desperate they are. I think you made a very wise choice moving into primary care. 

Hi Matron, I had an appointment at St Thomas hospital although i didnt see a consultant but one of his colleagues a woman who spoke very poor english, it was a job to hear what she was saying, anyway they want me to have all the tests done again and i am very upset as some of the tests are painful and invasive colonscopy, endocopy and proctogram i am dreading it all after been through it all only a couple of months ago i am at a loss what to do do you think i can say i only had these tests a couple of months ago and dont want to go through them all again

So you got your appointment but didn't see the boss, not very good and what is more upsetting is they have a doctor, probably a Senior/Specialist Registrar that has a poor command of English. The GMC have said any foreign doctor has to pass certain criteria before seeing patients. I can't understand why they want you to have the tests again unless of course the previous hospital hadn't forwarded the results however these days with computerised records that shouldn't be the case. Do you know if that was the case christine? 

i am not sure but i will question it i dont want all those tests done again i only had them done in november and it was traumatic to say the least to get through i will ask them if they are completely necessary so again i am left waiting another 2 weeks for a letter to come through all this time i spend waiting and meantime my prolapse is not getting any better and i am struggling going to the toilet

You are right to question it christine and I think the doctor you saw doesn't have a very good understanding of the effect it can have on you. If you have another outpatient appointment ask to see the consultant when you book in. I have a friend who has to attend cardiology once a year and always asks to see the consultant. They have never refused. What happens next? You said you are waiting for a letter.

waiting for a letter to say when the tests start theres going to be a lot of them i am very scared of everything to go through it all again, its very hard to see a consultant where i am in London last time I had to wait 7 months to see a consultant so its a long wait

jan has made a good point regarding a private appointment to start with then transfer to the NHS. I don't know how feasible that would be because I know these appointments are expensive especially in London. I will explain what I would do in your situation. I would ring the consultant secretary and explain I wasn't happy with the consultation and felt it was a waste if NHS time and money to have all the tests repeated. Could I please have an appointment with the consultant. Then see what their response is.

I cant afford to go private as i am not working had to give up because of all the problems with the prolapse and not going to the toilet i dont sleep well either as i am usually up in the night so not well at all

I know you are having an awful time at the moment christine. I would definitely question why they want the tests repeated x

I have to have a proctogram again it was awful last time so not looking forward to that having to go through tests again afer 8 months so i am no further forward than I was 8 months ago some people have their prolapse fixed and surgery within 8 months so why cant they sort it out seems strange to me what is taking so long

I can't understand it either unless your previous consultant hasn't forwarded all your test results to the new one. If I were you I would ask.

Matron do you know how long you have to wait to have a rectocele operated on its just that its been 8 months now and i am no further forward with it all, after a bad consultant i have to get a second opinion and then again tests done all takes time and waiting it will be a year soon and still no progress has been made I am beside myself with it all

If they are insisting you have all the tests again, which I can't understand, then you will go on the waiting list when your consultant decides you need surgery. It will then be hopefully within 18 weeks from that appointment however a lot if NHS Trusts aren't meeting these timescales. Your consultant should have some idea how long his/her waiting list is.

no one has talked to me about surgery its bad enough just trying to get an appointment to see the consultant so think i am a long way of joining waiting lists for surgery

If the proctogram doesn't convince them you need surgery then yes I think you do have a long wait. As you know results of tests take their time to be reported on, then they have to go to the consultant. That's why I suggested you ask them why do you need the tests again.