Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi, I've been on the waiting list to see a Consultant re. my gallbladder for 18months now, and just this morning (Wed.)I had a call from the hospital saying my third appointment in a row was being cancelled ( I was meant to go on Friday). I'm aware the NHS is under severe pressure, but all of these cancellations are beginning to make me feel angry. Has this happened to others?
0 likes, 11 replies
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jayne48424 elizabeth112
Posted
Hi there. I waited only 6 months to see the specialist then I was put on waiting list . I had my op on 8th of march. Sorry to hear you have waited so long . I did have 1 app cancelled but I was getting worse . So I went to see my gp and she faxed my surgeon to say symptoms were worse . Still didn't hear so I rang surgeons secretary . I got call to say come in they had cancellation on the Monday had op on the wed . So all I can advice is go to gp first then if you don't hear ph your hospital and ask to be put through to secretary . Hope this helps & good luck.
joy12506 elizabeth112
Posted
Yes it happened to me but only once and mine was 12 hours before I was meant to go to hospital the consultant was ill with flu and therefore cancelled.
All the way along however I had been informed that at anytime my op could be cancelled due to cancer patients needed that slot.
i have had my op now but was very blasé about saying if it goes ahead it goes ahead.
I know it's a great disappointment for an op to be cancelled as we gear ourselves for it. Remember it's not the bed after the op staff are looking bg for but the slot for you to have yours.
You will get yours just try to be patient.
amanda52877 elizabeth112
Posted
as jayne suggested you should see your gp, as they can move things along i have been waiting for 2 years and had my consultant appointment in december, and my pre op after that but wasnt given a date for surgery, and still havent heard anything, im going back to see gp again, to ask about having op at smaller hospital. hope you here soon and take care. x
joanna17875 elizabeth112
Posted
Oh Elizabeth, how awful for you, this is shocking. Don't know if you saw my post but I have waited since the beginning of Feb to see a consultant who is now on anual leave!! - spoke to his secretary and there are no theatre slots available for the endoscopy until the end of April, so I am looking at some time in May. My thoughts are with you, like many my life is hold, social life (no eating other than veg soup/fruit) - no holidays and loads of time off work. I do hope for you this gets done soon, kindest love and thoughts.
joy12506 elizabeth112
Posted
katherine42413 elizabeth112
Posted
Hi Elizabeth, so sorry that you've been waiting so long unfortunately this is natural for the NHS. The only thing you can do is as others have suggested is go back to your gp. Are your symptoms getting worse as unfortunately it will only be your symptoms getting worse that will push you up the queue.
I didn't go to my main hospital for my appointment but our smaller cottage hospital as they are less likely to have cancellations because generally they don't have an a&e departments which is the main reason for cancellations so perhaps find out if your consultant does appointments at a different hospital.
How soon after your last cancelled appointment did you get a new appointment as generally they should put you in as soon as possible. Are you able to take a cancelled patient appointments yourself as this maybe worth mentioning to your gp.
Gook luck, let us know how you get on x
elizabeth112 katherine42413
Posted
Thank you all for your comments. I've made an appointment to see my GP in one week, and am hoping he can chase things up. If not, I guess I'll just have to wait.
katherine42413 elizabeth112
Posted
Unfortunately if you seem to be coping and you're in a busy part of the uk then you seem to get pushed further away.
Let me know how you get on. x
elizabeth112 katherine42413
Posted
My daughter reckons I should send in a formal complaint. I've no idea how to do it, though, so I've asked her if she'll help me draft one. I'll let you all know what happens, if anything.
joanna17875 elizabeth112
Posted
Hi Elizabeth, good for you, I think you should complain. We all loose time off work due to this problem, this situation is all wrong. The people who do want to work and be procactive in society are shoved into an impossible situation, my GP only gives me lip service when I call and say how ill I am but can offer nothing else, as long as you are on lists to see people thats good enough, well I don't think it is good enough!!!!!!! The NHS is brilliant (my daughter is an ICU nurse) and all work very hard but we must lobby to get better care for everyone, I have taken to writing to my mp, might as well as stuck at home unable to work. The whole picture of this is a massive subject and no doubt I will be shot down in flames for my views (ready for it) but we all do pay hugely to live in this country and are let down. Love and peace xx
elizabeth112 joanna17875
Posted
I completely agree. Those of us who work hard into the services through taxes etc. over our lifetimes, so it's shameful that when we have need of them, we can't use them-especailly when, as I'm told, so many NHS Consultants also work part time at Private Hospitals, and presumably take time off their NHS roles to do so!.