How long should I wait for a hospital appointment?

[lurkedtoolong]

I've been suffereing from severe headaches for about a year and a bit which various GPs at my surgery have said were migraines. Recently I was prescribed "the gold standard" tablets for migraines and they made no impact on the pain so GP decided to refer me to neurologist.

I know and appreciate that hospitals are busy and I don't want to be one of those people who complains, but how long should I wait from my GP's appointment to receiving notification from hospital of when the appointment will be? I'm finding it harder and harder to function with almost daily pain and just want to have a date in my diary for the appointment so that I can look on.

It's been three weeks since my GP appointment and I've heard nothing yet - should I be pushing yet or hold off for a while. As I say, I don't want to be a pain but these headaches are really impacting on my life.

[SirBoobAlot]

Nothing to loose by calling to chase it up.

It varies from department to department, and hospital to hospital. Do understand though, I had to wait months to be seen by the pain clinic :(

Hope you get seen soon, and the pain can be made bearable.

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd give it another couple of weeks - it can take the surgery more than a week to do the referral letter, and then over the summer things slow up.

[lurkedtoolong]

Thanks. I think I've got impatient because the hospital's website shows that about 80% of neurology referrals are seen within 4-6 weeks. Think I'll give it til the end of the week then call.

The strongest painkillers I currently have are Tramadol and they are making very little impact.

[Montybojangles]

Have you checked with your surgery that the referral has been sent?