I have had a cough for approx 18 months now, believe me I have tried everything from new pillows/quilt/bed to changing out cleaning stuff and washing powder to environmentally friendly ones.
Been back and forth to GP, asthma nurse and had way to many courses of steroids and antibiotics. Chest x-ray came back clear.
So I got referred in January to see a respiratory specialist, and eventually on Monday I attended my appointment,
Going forward he recommended an 8 week course of antibiotics and an additional inhaler. Great wonderful, here is hoping I think,.
He hand wrote the note that I was to hand into my gp for him to write the prescription. . I phoned on Tuesday to see if prescription was ready for picking up. But sadly no the receptionist told me the pharmacist that fulfils these into prescriptions could not read the writing, therefore could not fulfil it. Said they might have to wait until letter came through outlining the course of action.
So I phoned the correct dept, who put me through to this consultants secretary, who vary nicely tells me "nothing she can do and that I will need to wait on the letter". How long will that letter take I ask " currently got a backlog so about 4 months" - yes months you read that right.
Can you not give him a message and let him know? " Sorry cant do that" she tells me. Why the heck not? I wonder but apparently not part of her job.
So back onto the phone to gp to see if they can chase it up. They do but they have no idea how long will take to get the letter in as secretary tells them there is a backlog. Cant expect them to keep phoning as they have lots of patients to see to and I am just one person.
At this I am beginning to despair as I have felt so ill for so long I have no tolerance for any sort of unnecessary stress.
I work for NHS so tried my union as they often have people in various departments who can chase things up but sadly none in that dept.
Tried occ health as been off work for a while now as just can't function at any sort of level. But he an outside consultant, a private one who does work for NHS clinics, so they have no jurisdiction over him.
So on Thursday I decided the easiest way was to find out when he next had a clinic and go and hassle him.
Friday I phone to find out when he next in, this point in tears as I am so exasperated and feeling lousy, to find a real lovely member of staff on the other end who really listened to my problem, who really understood my exasperation and who really wanted to help.
So he said leave it with me, that consultant has a clinic this morning and I will make sure he sorts it before he leaves today. Three hours later phones me back to say an electronic copy has been sent to your gp. I thank him over and over again for going above and beyond when even the consultants own secretary would not take a message. I refuse to believe for one minute I am the first person who has had an illegible letter from him. How does he get away with it. Is it just me that stresses out at these things? But when you feel so ill, not slept right in over a year and are permenatly exhausted I just don't handle these things very well any more.
A complaint will be going in on Monday morning.
