NHS Policies has got me wound right up

mumps

Just read the whole thread, some interesting points and made me think about a few things.

Last year my DD had major surgery, 24 hrs later we were sitting waiting to see surgeon in middle of outpatient's clinic. DD was in wheelchair, was on a drip. If anyone had sneezed next to her I might have .......... well not sure but I wouldn't have been too happy.

Years ago I was told I was waiting a long time for my appointment as they over booked to cover for no shows but that day everyone showed. Does that still happen.

A few years back I took DS in on morning of op. I told them I was concerned as he was a bit snuffly but they said bring him in and anaesthetist would assess him. Dr arrived considered everything, looked undecided and turned to me and asked me what I thought. As I picked little one up and started to dress him I said "If you are asking me what I think you aren't operating on him today." Dr got offended started to protest but I was adamant, if he was unsure he wasn't doing the op. Saw my GP who diagnosed glandular fever.

Re results coming in the post, I had a funny one with this when DD was about 7 or 8. She had something removed, surgeon was lovely, told me he was pretty sure it was OK and I would just get discharge in post confirming it. Week later I get an appointment to bring her in to see him. Three days of worry passed, I took her in. Surgeon and his team saw her, said good bye and how happy they were it was all OK. I asked him if he remembered what he said. He said she was so nice they wanted to say goodbye to her. I was too relieved to be cross. Worse problem with results was when DD got needle stick injury in work, had to have HIV test and receptionist told her on phone the results were clear. Week later uni asked for paper copy of results so I called in to pick them up to be told they hadn't had the results. Manager called hospital and got results, which were clear, I was really angry and was told I had to understand receptionists not medically trained. Why are they giving out results then. Must go, making myself angry thinking about the last one but just to add missed one appointment when we turned up for original appointment to be told it had been changed to previous day. No one told us, no call or letter, but hospital refused to accept this and it was on DD records that we were a no show.

Mupette

Unity wrote: »

Just a quick update - I got my results (officially) this week almost a month after the procedure and this was only after being telephoned on Monday to ask if I could make the follow-up appointment on Wednesday.

The good news is that the "thing" they removed plus the biopsies were benign.

I have followed up my original complaint letter with further details of the problems with the Choose and Book system - not because I want to cause trouble, but because I don't want others to have to jump through hoops to get proper treatment, especially when they may not be as lucky as I have been on this occasion.

Thanks again to everyone :T for their support and I hope you'll join me in a virtual :beer: or in my case :coffee: in celebration.

Awww that's brilliant news. :easter_ba:icotbaske:easter::easter_os:EasterBun go on it's easter have a fab weekend :beer::T:j:j:j

Unity

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I'm glad everything is Ok, and I'll have that cup of tea now.

Thanks - I hope you enjoy it, I think I might even treat myself to a cup of Earl Grey .

Unity

Mupette wrote: »

Awww that's brilliant news. :easter_ba:icotbaske:easter::easter_os:EasterBun go on it's easter have a fab weekend :beer::T:j:j:j

Thank you very much too Mupette, it was a long time to wait - for everything :roll eyes: but at last I can put it behind me. I see the oncologist on Thursday about going back on chemo-prevention.

Mumps - I must admit, I find it a lot easier coping with things for myself than I ever did for the children - worry reaches a new level when your children are involved and I hate to say it doesn't get any easier the older they get .

WhiteHorse

mumps wrote:

Years ago I was told I was waiting a long time for my appointment as they over booked to cover for no shows but that day everyone showed. Does that still happen.

Yes it does, but there's another reason for this practice.

Some hospitals will deliberately double book appointments in order to fiddle their waiting lists.

Thus, you are seen within the stipulated timeframe (x weeks). The fact that on the day you had to wait for six hours is not recorded.

sheeps68

With all the annoyance of mess ups and difficulties I just want to praise my lovely consultant who has gone the extra mile to help me. I have to go to hospital every 4 weeks for treatment on day ward plus I'm meant to have consultant review every 3 months. Now for various reasons the appts for treatment and OP appt are not the same day. Now as my consultant realised this he suggested he see's me on the ward at my treatment session to save me extra trips. OK it sometimes means a wait but so worth it and I'd often have a long wait in out patients.
Thank-you lovely caring doctors out there who try and alter appts and normal systems to help us patients!