18 weeks from referal to treatment in NHS, can anyone help me understand

[lolaflores]

I was refered by my GP to hopsital earlier this year. I received an appt for 28th August with consultant.
He ordered diagnostics
I saw a specialist physiotherapist, she has refereed me to speech therapy and another physio which has disappeared somewhere.
Since then I have had 3 clinic appointments cancelled.
ENT appointment isn't till February.
So far, I haven't actually had a proper diagnosis or real treatment.
But because I have seen a consultant etc, does that count as treatment>
I have contacted PALS who will take 40 days to consider a complaint.
I have a respiratory condition which so far no one has named and it is not getting any better.
Anyone help me work out where I stand and where do I go next

Unfortunately this seems to be standard unless your referral is urgent.

I'm having exploratory tests done on Sat. I was referred in June. I was referred to a different dept for something else in Aug haven't so much as heard from them yet.

Redglitter, is there any point even complaining at this point?
The targets seem meaningless and even if they ahve missed it, there isn't much can be done.
Sorry to hear you have been waiting so long.
I am at the point of total despair

The consultant appt counts as treatment. I know it doesn’t feel like you are being treated as you don’t have an answer or treatment but the target is to be seen by someone, not fixed in 18 weeks

Ah. I thought that might be the case.
Beyond frustrated and I just keep bouncing in and out of my GPS getting course after course of steroids.
I have given up on hearing anyting about the other referals.

A consultant appointment alone shouldn't count as treatment however even the smallest thing can. For example "you have a problem with your ear, we'll refer you for xyz but in the mean time try these ear drops as they may resolve it" would be treatment.

Reading your history I would suspect the physiotherapist provided treatment (I.e. gave you some exercises to help the issue) so your 18 week timescale has been closed. Now you are just waiting for the rest of the treatment to resolve the issue.

sadly, complaining is unlikely to get you anywhere as you'll be waiting in turn. You can't be seen over and above anyone else unless your priority changes, so all they can do is acknowledge the wait. Frustrating I know, and frustrating for those working on waiting lists in the NHS (of which I was one).