Advice needed please

[Kidworries]

Hi all
So my son had an emergency MRI on Sunday. The week before we saw the consultant who ordered the MRI. He said call him as soon as it's done to arrange an appointment. So i spent all day calling yesterday and tried this morning and his secretary just doesn't answer the phone or it goes to voicemail. Tried operator asking for another of the consultant s in their department. Out through and his secretary is on holiday for 2 weeks... I know there are waiting times and they are busy but it took 7 months for them to even get referred to the right person. It got passed from hospital to hospital from department to department. They cancelled and changed appointments and didn't tell me. It has been a nightmare.

We eventually saw this consultant who actually said in these exact words. ' i don't know why you are here to see me, i don't deal with children... But let's have a look' he ordered an MRI. One week.later i get a call saying come in on Sunday to do it. Yes an emergency MRI is one week 2 days later. Call me straight away he says.... But no one answering.

Any advice on what to do? Or am i being unreasonable and should give it more time? Should i contact my GP would he be able to push things forward ... Although he was the one who referred him incorrectly 3 times...

Thanks all.

Sorry if that's all jumbled. I'm really quite stressed about it and not sure what to do

Any words of advice?

Definitely get in contact with your gp. If this consultant has told you to call him straight away then of course you would be agitated and nervous and expecting the phone to be answered! If they are unable to do things when they say they will, then they shouldn't be telling you they can. Let your GP know of the situation and if it is serious and an emergency he should speed things up for you!! All the best for your son.

Thank you. I called the GP today and the secretary pointblank refused to help. She said my GP can't do anything as he won't have the results and that the consultant probably only works for the NHS 2 days a week. So i have to keep trying or if i want a gp appointment then i will have to wait until August! My dh called yesterday for an appointment following his ultrasound and he has to wait until August 21st! Lots of health issues in the family at the moment and can't even see the local GP!

Try phoning the hospital switchboard and talk to the main switchboard operator. I have found them very helpful in getting advice on what to do in a situation like yours.

Unfortunately i tried that she put me through to another consultants secretary but it went straight through to their voicemail saying they are on holiday for 2 weeks. Not sure what else i can do...

Ring hospital switchboard and ask for PALS - they will help resolve it for you, although you may have to leave a message for them to call you back (as they're rarely a big team and may be anywhere in the hospital helping people at the time of your call).

Thanks i will try that

Finally got an appointment! The number he gave me was for his secretary who left 2 months ago...hence why no one was answering