Anyone know their way around the NHS?

La_Fenice

A good friend of mine is housebound and in severe pain with knee problems. Doc, (not very sympathetic!) says 'thinks' is osteo-arthritis and may require knee replacement surgery and has referred her to a specialist. She's been waiting now for a year to see this specialist and has now been told it will be another year before she even gets to see him for an initial consultation.

Does anyone know of any 'wrinkles' to get treatment any earlier...two years of pain and lack of mobility is very difficult for someone with no family to help and who has previously lived a very active life. (3 yrs ago she walked The Dalesway = all 80 odd miles of it)

Can you ask to be referred out of your health authority area and if so how do you go about it? Also does anyone have any idea how much treatment might be if she paid privately from her very limited resources.

Sorry to waffle on a bit but any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Sarahsaver

Ask around, because according to the gps interests or specialities they may be pally with certain consultants. Go for a second opinion with a gp who specialises.

crana9

she should be able to see a specialist provately for £60-£100 which would speed things up.. they are usuallyhappyto see you on the NHS after an initial private consultation.

sheenagh_2

Go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau they can refer her to ICAS - the independent compliants organisation, cripes 2 years is not on!

ICAS are free and independent and they may be able to help your friend move things along. They can certainly give her advise.

In my experience (5 years at the CAB and lots of personal family health issues) politely stamping your feet in writing a lot is the only way to move things.

Good luck

Ted_Hutchinson

First it may be possible to get an earlier appointment by writing to the consultant and pointing out your situation.

I wasn't very happy when I was told I had a long wait to see a neurologist. I made it clear it wasn't satisfactory and the Neurologist put in a Saturday morning session to reduce the list. I was phoned to see if I could attend at short notice on the Wednesday and seen on the Saturday. It was on the NHS and not a private consultation.

I was also getting fed up with my indwelling catheta and realised that it wasn't going to be a long term solution. I was therefore pretty disappointed when the Urologist wrote and deferred my appointment for administrative reasons. I wrote back again politely pointing out that as I wasn't managing the Indwellling cathetar successfully and that as self-cathetarisation seemed to be the way forward, would it be possible to put this into operation prior to the new Urology appointment. Sure enough I was phoned on Friday for self-cathetarisation training session next Wednesday.

I'm with Lincolnshire Health trust and I don't suppose they are particularly better or worse than elsewhere so rather than get confrontational why not just be a bit more assertive?

It would be worth exploring you local Patient Advice and Liaison Service You'll probably find links to it from Patient Advice and Liaison Services Portal here

Another good site for finding your way round the NHS is here
Dr Foster

TaBunny

A good friend of mine is housebound and in severe pain with  knee problems.  Doc, (not very sympathetic!) says 'thinks' is osteo-arthritis and may require knee replacement surgery and has referred her to a specialist.  She's been waiting now for a year to see this specialist and has now been told it will be another year before she even gets to see him for an initial consultation.

Does anyone know of any 'wrinkles' to get treatment any earlier...two years of pain and lack of mobility is very difficult for someone with no family to help and who has previously lived a very active life.  (3 yrs ago she walked The Dalesway = all 80 odd miles of it)

Can you ask to be referred out of your health authority area and if so how do you go about it?  Also does anyone have any idea how much treatment might  be if she paid privately from her very limited resources.

Sorry to waffle on a bit but any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Hey La_F I do sympathise with your friend and wish them well, I have been in and out of hospital since I was 4 with my illness and I still can't get new knees even though I suffer horrendous pain most days and have to use a wheelchair when out and about but the hospitals stance is that whilst I still retain some movement and am able to walk they would prefer not to give me new knees as they can only be replaced once and only last around 10 years so the younger you are the less they like to do it. As for your friend getting seen quicker, well I can only suggest that she go to casualty in tears and tell them the pain is so unbareable that she can hardly breath, they should then at least give her a steroid injection directly into the joint, (I have these every 3 months and boy they help, not pleasant but effective) anyhow once they've seen her she could pester them to get her referred on the specialist quickly, they may then bump her up the list. If nothing else it will give her some relief. Goodluck and I hope that if she gets the treatment that she returns to full health.

TaBunny

sorry me again this site may help too
http://www.arthritis-glucosamine.net/glucosamine/arthritis-tips/

La_Fenice

........why not just be a bit more assertive?

It would be worth exploring you local Patient Advice and Liaison Service  You'll probably find links to it from Patient Advice and Liaison Services Portal here

Another good site for finding your way round the NHS is here
Dr Foster

Many thanks Ted_H for the links...will certainly have a good look through them.

As for the 'assertiveness'...its a bit difficult trying to help someone who doesn't want to be any trouble to anyone, doesn't want to make a fuss etc and therefore just gets passed over. I don't want to interefere where I'm not wanted but just hate to see someone that I'm fond of in so much pain, and so worried and depressed about the future.. I really don't know what to do for the best ???

La_Fenice

Thanks TaBunny, sorry to hear of your difficulties too. Will have a look into the steroid injections, (oooh, sounds painful in itself!), all the best of luck to you...

Thanks for the link too..will be very helpful.

Thanks too to everyone else...some new ideas to look at...never would have thought of the CAB!

mink35

Ted's advice for the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) is a good start. You could also try ringing the local PCT and ask if they have an 'Access, Booking and Choice Co-ordinator' (not all PCTs do). If you can speak directly to the ABC person he/she should be able to offer alternatives, eg other hospitals within their locale (not always nearest hospitals). If your friend then has difficulty getting to the other hospitals, also ask the ABC person about transport options - some PCTs will get patients to other hospitals by hook or by crook to reduce waiting times.

You don't say what area your friend is in so I'm unable to offer any direct telephone numbers etc.

Hope this helps.

Mink

mink35

Sorry - also knee replacement surgery is several thousand pounds privately.