To make a PALS complaint?

Point taken and to answer your own original question then yes, complain.

But your experiences are not unique and are symptomatic of a much more systemic problem so I don't think it's unreasonable to consider your original post in this wider context.

Will Andy Burnham act or will he just genuflect to the socialist origin of the NHS and the millions who work in it without considering that it is not fit for purpose and better model (not the US) exist elsewhere in the world.

Do it op. I’ve complained several times, one for shocking maternity care during lockdown.

i’ve had to pay for lots of private treatment for my young kids because the nhs has been mostly useless, this includes private physio for my DC when he was 1, to help him to learn to walk.

I am definitely not a Farage supporter!

But anyone who thinks the NHS is not chronically inefficient and needs significant reform either doesn't use it or is delusional.

When will people wake up and realise that around the developed world in Europe and in Asia (not the US) far better and more efficient systems have developed that still offer universal care.

Read the stories about the abysmal maternity care in Nottingham and tell me you still think the NHS is fit for purpose.

The whole thing is a massive Gordian knot and needs cutting. How can the current status quo be defended by you?

You are absolutely right. It would be much more cost effective to get MRI done first. It can get longer than a year to get diagnosis through NHS and see physio and have x rays done. In a meanwhile you are actually causing more damage to your knee. Absolutely ridiculous that you have to jump through all these hoops just to find out what is wrong with your knee. I got really frustrated with it all

Fagash Nigel gonna sort it? Isn’t he? Isn’t he??? He probably isn’t!

I had a very similar experience. I had a knee injury and went through the NHS system. The pathway to diagnose and get MRI is very long one. I decided to book private MRI and found out my ACL was completely ruptured and I had meniscus tear as well

It will also be worth contacting the consultants secretary and asking if they have a cancellation list that you can be put on if you have the availability to get there quick

I've just complained to PALS.

I started feeling unwell in autumn 2024 and was fobbed off with menopause.

An optician mentioned Sjogrens at an eye test in Jan 25 due to chronic dry eye and told me to make a GP appointment.

Went back to GP several times (again being fobbed off with it's just menopause) until they agreed to refer me to rheumatology for Sjogrens testing. The referral was done in August 2025. I wasn't given a choice of hospital and I assumed I'd be seen with 18 weeks as per the government guidelines.

I've been put down as routine and I'm still on the waiting list for an appointment. I recently rang the hospital to chase it up and I've been told it'll probably be another six months or so until I'm seen.

In the mean time, the dry eye and dry mouth have become so chronic, it's affecting my vision, speaking and eating. It's not like I can rest up as I need to use my eyes and mouth on a daily basis. I also have other symptoms such as joint pain, chronic fatigue, limb numbness that comes and goes and so on. It's really impacting my quality of life as I'm struggling to manage to do the stuff that needs doing every day like going to work and basic housework.

The GP won't investigate any other causes until Sjogrens is either diagnosed or ruled out, so I'm just left struggling with pain and discomfort until I see the rheumatologist.

If I could afford it, I would pay to go private.

I’d definitely complain. I’d also be asking why the person you originally saw didn’t refer you for an MRI? How will the physio know what they’re dealing with?! Sadly as others have said, your complaint is unlikely to have any outcome but the stats will be kept somewhere.

Glad you’re able to pay for private physio treatments. To be honest, the NHS physios I’ve seen have been pretty bad. Young inexperienced and not very effective. Not their fault but I’m convinced all the good physios have left the NHS as they know they see patients too late! It must be a soul
destroying job.

Always complain.

a record needs to be built of how truly shit the NHS is.

a nothing will improve without complaints

True but you can go to a different garage if you get bad service.

You can't with the NHS which is one of its main failings.

A system where there were a plethora of health care providers (like garages) all anxious for your custom, financed by a voucher type system paid through taxation (as in many other countries) would be far more effective.

Sounds very similar to my experience. I suffered a knee injury last October when running. I’ve seen the GP 3 times, had a steroid jab and x ray which showed no bone/joint issues. She then referred me for an MRI which was rejected by the hospital and I’ve now been put on a physio waiting list. I’ve been told I’ll need to wait at least another 4 months for an appointment. Absolutely useless!
You should definitely complain. I’m going to.