Anyone had problems with a hospital taking ages to give serious appts? What to do?

Bexm

Hello

I am just looking for advice.. clutching at straws really as can't think of anything else to do!

My Husband has baeen having bad headaches.. they are getting really bad now to the point he's some times going unconscious..! He's had 2 appointments at the hospital, with 2 months in between.. with a possibly diagnosis, but he's yet to see a "head" person.. who can do tests.. he's waiting for a letter with an appointment now!
But it was 2 weeks ago his last appt and he hasn't received the new appointment yet!
Getting hold of the hospital impossible... apparently he can only speak to one person and they are always on answer machine! He's been back to the doctors who apparently can only write a letter to try hurry it along..! He says there's no point going down there as it won't do anything!

We are both very scared and the hosp don't seem to give a sh*t!

I feel completely helpless..!

Has anyone been in a similar situation... What can we do??

Thanks

Bex

fatou256

you should complaint ot your local PAL office , they deal with complaitn form patient. they are very good, understanding and give some really useful advise .

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/

i forgot to add it might be good idea to see your gp to explain your issue with the hospital and see / ask if they can push thing for you .

good luck

Little_Leita

My hubby has a complex neuro history and we have been to hospital so many times its unreal. Luckily he is now seen very quickly and has direct access to a ward but it has been very frustrating and upsetting over the years. I would suggest taking him to A & E while he is having an episode - I always found this was the best way to hurry things along and usually a consultant is usually sent down from the ward to take a look.

Oddly enough I had a funny thing happen to my eyes 4 weeks ago and went to see the GP who refered me to neuro on the NHS (I'm not worried about it - I think it was just a migraine) Luckily I remembered I have health insurance through work that I have never used and am being seen tonight at a BUPA hospital. However, I got a letter on saturday informing me that my referral had been received and telling me the waiting list for an NHS appt is 13 weeks!!!! :eek: Good god, I'd hate to have anything seriously wrong with me.

I hope things turn out ok, and please feel free to pm me if you would like to talk. I know just how frightening it is to watch your hubby get very poorly right before your eyes.

A

Bexm

Little_Leita wrote: »

My hubby has a complex neuro history and we have been to hospital so many times its unreal. Luckily he is now seen very quickly and has direct access to a ward but it has been very frustrating and upsetting over the years. I would suggest taking him to A & E while he is having an episode - I always found this was the best way to hurry things along and usually a consultant is usually sent down from the ward to take a look.

Oddly enough I had a funny thing happen to my eyes 4 weeks ago and went to see the GP who refered me to neuro on the NHS (I'm not worried about it - I think it was just a migraine) Luckily I remembered I have health insurance through work that I have never used and am being seen tonight at a BUPA hospital. However, I got a letter on saturday informing me that my referral had been received and telling me the waiting list for an NHS appt is 13 weeks!!!! :eek: Good god, I'd hate to have anything seriously wrong with me.

I hope things turn out ok, and please feel free to pm me if you would like to talk. I know just how frightening it is to watch your hubby get very poorly right before your eyes.

A

Thanks for the advice.. other people have suggested taking him to A&E.. think next time I'll just call an ambulance.. as no chance I can move him!
Hoping it doesn't happen again though any time soon.. is very scary!!

Bexm

Oh my lord!!
Husband literally just this minute managed to get hold of the hospital..! THEY LOST HIS REFERRAL!!!!!!!! and the waiting list is about 10 weeks!!!
Bunch of idiots!!!!

We'll be going private at this rate!!

Will be writing to PALs!

Little_Leita

Bexm wrote: »

Oh my lord!!
Husband literally just this minute managed to get hold of the hospital..! THEY LOST HIS REFERRAL!!!!!!!! and the waiting list is about 10 weeks!!!
Bunch of idiots!!!!

We'll be going private at this rate!!

Will be writing to PALs!

Bloody idiots!

Sadly, I am not at all surprised.

Go kick some butt! x

Emmzi

write them a letter and ask for the complaints procedure.

the complainst procedure is long and expensive from their side.

also refer to the stress the waiting is causing you.

It may do some good, it may not, but it's worth a try. It has worked for me before.

NoAngel

I had to cancel an a week before I was due to go for an appointment, for very good reason (My sister was ill abroad and I rushed off to see her)... I got discharged back to my GP and have now been put back on the waiting list- so waiting 4 months so far, with still another at least 5 week wait ahead. What a joke! I very much feel for you and your husband right now. I'm going to be making a complaint and so should you. Good luck xx

bright_side

My sister had a brain tumour and waited several weeks after diagnosis for her chemo to start. Prior to that she waited 3 months for a detailed brain scan at Addenbrokes, after the initial scan showed she had the tumour.

ailuro2

Sometimes people pay privately to see the consultant so they know whether they need to go on a waiting list for any operations they need, cuts down the total waiting time.

I know it's not much of a help, but thought I'd mention it in case it's something you could consider.

Bexm

karen23 wrote: »

My sister had a brain tumour and waited several weeks after diagnosis for her chemo to start. Prior to that she waited 3 months for a detailed brain scan at Addenbrokes, after the initial scan showed she had the tumour.

Seriously?? Was this with the NHS?? They've got to be having a laugh!!!!