Just buggered up a hospital appointment I’ve waited 8 months for!

[JustlookingNotbuying]

I am so very annoyed with myself today.
I have ongoing digestive issues. Trying to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist over the last few years has been a bloody nightmare.
I had a face to face appointment November 2021 after waiting months and months.
My appointment was the first one of the day. I arrived on time. Waited and waited. The waiting room became busier and busier. An hour later I still hadn’t been called in so checked with reception, they said I was still on their list.
My phone then rang, it was the consultant’s secretary. She was ringing to cancel my appointment - wtf! I told her I’d be sitting in the waiting room for over an hour. She apologised and said she thought my appointment was a telephone consultation but advised to sit and wait it out, she explained there were two gastro clinics running that morning and my consultant’s colleague had not turned up due to an overnight emergency so my consultant was basically running two clinics at once.
Needless to say he was as stressed as hell and the appointment was a waste of time as it was literally over in 10 mins. I had a list of my issues etc but there was very little time to go over everything.
So I was given an appointment for today (8 months later!).

Its a telephone consultation for 9.15. I have waited by my phone since 9am.

At 9.40 he rings. I have a new phone and instead of swiping right to answer I stupidly swiped left (as with my old phone) and swiftly cut the bloody call off (I could have cried).
Though he may try again, at least once but no, he just left a voicemail asking me to rearrange the appointment.
I am so upset and frustrated. A long 8 month wait and half a day off work for nothing.
I tried ringing the secretary back straight away but she’s not answering so I’ve had to leave a voicemail.
I am so, so angry with myself for such a silly mistake. Now I’ll have to wait another age and meanwhile my digestive issues are still ongoing.

What a farce. How can anyone still think it’s so wonderful and get upset when people criticise it. Rushed 10 minute appointments which solve nothing. Only twice a year, (if you are very lucky), and often cancelled or don’t happen for other reasons, like this, where they only try and phone once and then there is no one to phone back. Then having to wait months for another appointment. It’s a pointless and useless “service”.

I'm not sure how it works. Could you pay for initial appointment and then referred back for NHS diagnostics like colonoscopy or whatever? Maybe would asking him considering he is NHS as well.

I see a gastroenterologist under private insurance. Colonoscopy was £1400 I think.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned or you know about it, but have you looked at the Right To Choose option? If you are able/willing to travel or have telephone consults it may be worth looking to see if an NHS referal to a different hospital would get you seen sooner.
It's not foolproof but in some instances can be useful.

Just read your update, so sorry to hear that. Its ridiculous at the minute, I am struggling to see a way forward for the nhs, it's an utter stambles.
Before I get slated, I know the nhs well and greatful that I haven't got to pay for health insurance as frankly it would be unobtainable for me (I can't even get life insurance!) But there is so much waste financially it needs to be run more efficiently- amazing how most private clinics see you, and even more ironically how many drs are nhs PT with private practise. I can pay to see the same consultant a lot quicker if I had the cash.

I really hope a cancellation comes up for you, its shocking they didn't give you a second call.

@WhiskersPete I don't know if your comment " despite the protestations of some that actually work with it and would rather you didn't use it.." was directed at me but my point is - make a formal complaint .Bringing it to the attention of PALS does not = a complaint .There is a complaints procedure and PALS can tell you what it is .

I think it's wrong that the consultant made such little effort to contact the OP and wrong that she has to go back to the end of the queue .

Whoever was calling you should have tried to ring again.
I generally ring 3 times. If people don't pick up when I first try, I'll try later in the session.
You need to write to PALS, explain what you have here, and that should sort things out quickly. I know you will, but remember to be polite.

HappyHedgehog247 sadly, I just can not afford to go privately atm, I am at the mercy of the NHS.
Staffy1 I feel the same. It is no longer the envy of the world. It’s has been allowed to run inefficiently for years. When I worked for the NHS the piss was taken out of it by many of its staff, it’s one of the reasons I left. Management and consultants take the piss and when the shit hits the fan it’s left to front line staff to deals with, it’s disgusting.
Nadal yes, I know several people who have seen consultants privately then they get out onto the NHS waiting list for a procedure, it cuts off the wait for the initial consultation but sadly I currently can not afford the consultation fee.
queenrollo I thought Right to Chose was only for things like ADHD assessments. I didn’t know it was for other specialisms, I will def look into that, thanks.
Itiswasitis90 it’s really is a total shambles. It scares me how bad it has become and even scarier that our country is run by millionaires who most probably never step foot in their local NHS hospital as they can easily get private treatment. They have no idea the struggles to access healthcare the majority of the people in this country have to face.
hoping2021 I have sent PALS an email this afternoon, hopefully they will get back asap.