Nhs appointment system

Oreo

Nell8

Truffle1

I was referred for an urgent colonoscopy 8 wks ago, finally getting a message to call our nearest hospital to arrange it. Then I was informed that the earliest available appointmetnt would be in 68 weeks!! So now what do I do???

Is it possible that the waiting time is in fact 6 to 8 weeks and this has been misheard as 68?

I bet you’re right! 😃

I didn't mishear it, in fact I asked the lady at the hospital to repeat it for me! I have asked my GP to resend the referral and hopefully I will then get a choice of hospitals and a better chance of an early appointment - there was a piece in the paper yesterday about going to hospitals out of the usual area.

I had an MRI scan on 1 October and was told the report would be issued in 2/3 weeks. I'm still waiting and the GP has said with the consultants and doctors going on strike, I could be waiting quite a while longer.

I'm on masses of painkillers and wonder how long I can keep taking them. I'm sure they can't be good for me but without them I'm in excruciating pain. And without (hopefully) a diagnosis from the MRI report, I'm stuck with the painkillers.

My GP said the only way around it is to have an MRI scan done privately, then I'd get the report very quickly.

My husband had a dermatology appointment for 23rd October. We came back from a 3 week holiday on the 14th Oct to find a letter saying that appt. had had to be cancelled and they’d made another for 1st October (we were away). He phoned to explain and was told that as he’d missed that appt. he’d have to wait until April for another!!
He phoned again today, on the off chance, and was offered an appt. next Tuesday! Seems you have to just hope and poke!!

I requested some time ago to get all paperwork on my NHS app and phone contact, txt or voice, on my mobile phone.
If you can do this, it’s a lot more expedient and easier.

M0nica

Oreo It isn't always possible to suddenly cancel commitments because someon might ring you to make a scan appointment. Holidays may have been booked and paid for - and insurance wouldn't pay out because you were awaiting an appointment. It has also just been half term and if you have volunteered half term cover for grandchildren you cannot just cancel.

Anyway, the hospital would have been ringing Truffle on her mobile phone, so it doesn't really matter where she is.

Agreed.

I had an appointment cancelled because a mistake had been made at the hospital, and when I rang to make another one told the receptionist that I was away for a few days (booked to fit around the original appointment), so not to make it during those days. She repeated the dates back to me, and I could hear her typing them into the system. Guess what was on the mat when I got home? Yes, an appointment that had been made for when I was away.

Goodness me. Count your blessings biglouis.

I have been waiting for a referral to ENT since January this year. I received a letter 2 weeks ago asking me to ring if I still wanted to remain on the list. I nearly fell off my chair when the phone was picked up immediately. Very early today I received a call offering me an appointment this Sunday. They are obviously working through the backlog.

Anyway, the hospital would have been ringing Truffle on her mobile phone, so it doesn't really matter where she is.

Perhaps they didn't have her mobile phone number. Both my landline and mobile numbers are on the system. I like to cover all bases!

Sometimes I think the people in the appointments office don't show much common sense. I phoned to cancel an appointment because I had a heart atatck. The person at the other end said, If you cancel you will go to the bottom of the list.. After an ear bashing from me and a request that the reason for my cancellation was noted on the system. I got a new appointment.

Oreo It isn't always possible to suddenly cancel commitments because someon might ring you to make a scan appointment. Holidays may have been booked and paid for - and insurance wouldn't pay out because you were awaiting an appointment. It has also just been half term and if you have volunteered half term cover for grandchildren you cannot just cancel.

Anyway, the hospital would have been ringing Truffle on her mobile phone, so it doesn't really matter where she is.

Oreo

Incidentally biglouis if you’re told the blood sample was abnormal your surgery is doing it’s best for your health to ask for another sample.What if something was wrong with you?
Talking of solicitors to the nurse is way out of line.

Big Louis I wish my surgery were so on the ball. I had to remind a dismissive GP that I was due blood tests as a requirement of medication I am on.

I too think you were way out of line, when your surgery are going above and beyond for you.

Nell8

Truffle1

I was referred for an urgent colonoscopy 8 wks ago, finally getting a message to call our nearest hospital to arrange it. Then I was informed that the earliest available appointmetnt would be in 68 weeks!! So now what do I do???

Is it possible that the waiting time is in fact 6 to 8 weeks and this has been misheard as 68?

I bet you’re right! 😃

Seriously? Someone comes to your door because a blood test showed an abnormality, and you threaten her with legal action? There are people all over the world who would love to have access to free tests and medication, and in many countries people walk for miles to see a doctor. I can’t believe what I’ve just read.

Incidentally biglouis if you’re told the blood sample was abnormal your surgery is doing it’s best for your health to ask for another sample.What if something was wrong with you?
Talking of solicitors to the nurse is way out of line.

Truffle1

I was referred for an urgent colonoscopy 8 wks ago, finally getting a message to call our nearest hospital to arrange it. Then I was informed that the earliest available appointmetnt would be in 68 weeks!! So now what do I do???

Is it possible that the waiting time is in fact 6 to 8 weeks and this has been misheard as 68?

If it was that non urgent there wouldn’t be the need for a scan.
I waited for a scan app last year, it was 8 weeks before it happened but I wouldn’t have gone away while I waited or if I really had to would have notified the hospital dept as to where I could be reached. I certainly don’t sit around on my ‘ass’ as I work most days. It all depends how important this scan is to the OP.
The GP will have to re-refer now for another app, that’s how it works.

Was it sensible to go away from home for ten days when you were waiting for a scan appointment

People cannot be expected to put their lives and plans on hold for non urgent appointments. We dont all sit on our asses at home.

I have the opposite trouble. My GP surgery keep pestering me to have blood tests whereas they are only supposed to take place every 6 months. 3 weeks ago a HCP phoned to ask if she could call to take a blood sample. I only agreed because a blood test is a quick flick and I had a visitor. When she arrived she wanted to take blood, do my blood pressure and weigh me. I explained that it was inconvenient but she was pushy.

Yesterday the same woman arrived again without any appointment. She had phoned and it went to voicemail. I only answered the door because I was expecting a parcel and told her how angry I was at being pestered again. She claimed the last blood sample was "abnormal" (which probably means that the lab had either lost or contaminated it0 and would have to be repeated. I told her in no uncertain terms that I felt this was bordering on harassment. I did mention my solicitor contacting the surgery manager if this happened again.

Was it sensible to go away from home for ten days when you were waiting for a scan appointment?

Truffle Go straight back to the doctor or other who referred you for an urgent colonoscopy and tell them what you have been offered.

Mistakes do happen in hospitals. Some years ago DD had to have a series of operations, about 6 in all, to reconstruct her arm after a bad accident. These were done by a plastic surgeon. The first three operations went ahead as planned, but just before the fourth one was due she had a letter from the hospital saying that she would not be getting more operations as the NHS did not cover cosmetic surgery.

DD immediately contacted her consultant, who spoke to the hospital adminstration. it turned out that the routine operation request had gone to a new member of staff who didn't understand the difference between reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. DD then had the operation as planned - and the others.

So speak to whoever referred you. Someone at the hospital may not have noted the 'urgent' on the request sent in.

Truffle1, I think you should question that - 68 weeks is well over a year. Contact the number on the letter or ring your GP surgery for advice, as that doesn’t sound right to me.

I was referred for an urgent colonoscopy 8 wks ago, finally getting a message to call our nearest hospital to arrange it. Then I was informed that the earliest available appointmetnt would be in 68 weeks!! So now what do I do???

Blame Royal Mail for the lack of timely delivery

Cabbie21

I was told to expect a review appointment in four weeks. It has come within two days. That can’t be right.

I was referred to a rheumatologist and when I logged on to book with him, it said there was a waiting list of 72 weeks. There was an option to leave a message so I left one, saying I'd be happy to take a cancellation.

A week later I had a letter saying that he was opening up some appointments on a Saturday in 2 weeks' time so I grabbed that opportunity.

I think this is happening across the board to try and clear backlogs.

I was told to expect a review appointment in four weeks. It has come within two days. That can’t be right.

First I heard of one appoinment was when they rang to cancel it.

Please ring the appointments number and explain. Be very pleasant but upset.
If necessary say you will go to see Pals...