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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To be pissed off with the appointment system at Salisbury Hospital.

13 replies

shoshe · 01/03/2011 08:51

I have Lupus, I am suppose to see a Rheumatologist once every six months.

I was suppose to go in December 2009, but I had Swine Flu and Pneumonia and was Hospitalized so had to cancel. (Dh rang to do it)

When I was better, early January, I phoned for a new appointment, and was given one for November 2010 (The first available!)

In May 2010, I received a letter saying that that appointment had now been cancelled, and that a new one would be made, 6 weeks in advance.

By the end of November, I had heard nothing so phoned them, to be told they were running behind, so would get one in the new year.

Yesterday, I phoned again, to be told that they are still running behind, and it would be a couple of months before I recive a appointment, which I suppose will be for 6 weeks after,

The rate it is going, it looks like I wont be seeing anybody much before July!

I need to have my meds changed (my Dr cant do this, only the Rheumatologist).

Is this the way they keep the waiting lists down!

OP posts:

LineRunner · 01/03/2011 08:58

Please please please write a formal letter of complaint to the Hospital Trust's Chief Executive about this unacceptable state of affairs - and request that an appointment is made for you within the next month either at Salisbury or with an alternative provider. Send it recorded delivery. You can get details of the Chief Exec's name etc from the hospital's web site.

Violet5 · 01/03/2011 10:07

I live in Salisbury, have a child with disabilities so have been at the mercy of the hospital for the past 13 years....you have my sympathy

Birdsgottafly · 01/03/2011 10:59

I second what LR said and if possible contact your local MP and possibly get a support group onboard. Patients should not have to do this and this does not help you in the short term but might help to bring about change for the future.

omnishambles · 01/03/2011 11:02

shoshe - its rubbish isnt it -is there any way you can rustle up the 200 to see someone privately - we had to do this recently and it was incredibly effective and strangely stayed so when we went back into the nhs because it was the same consultant iyswim.

Shouldnt be the case though.

mankyscotslass · 01/03/2011 11:04

Do you have a specialist Lupus nurse to coontact at the hospital?

Any time we have queries about my mums lupus we contact our lupus nurse, and they have helped sort out appointments before now.

Failing that a letter of complaint or email to the chief exec should help.

A friends of mine wrtoe an emai lof complaint to the chief exec of the childrens hospital here, she was able to work ouot his email address, and within 2 hours shehad been contacted.

I know how important it is to get your meds right with Lupus, you have my sympathy.

mankyscotslass · 01/03/2011 11:05

Sorry about typos, fat ginger cat walked across lap as I was typing. I need to preview more.

Original poster

shoshe · 01/03/2011 13:59

No specialist nurse unfortunately, but found address for C.E so will write to him and see what will happen.

OP posts:

MadamDeathstare · 01/03/2011 14:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

springbokdoc · 01/03/2011 16:02

Are you on steroids/immune modifying drugs?? If so, mention that on the complaint letter to chief exec. it's not acceptable to wait almost two years for a review.

Diablo82 · 01/03/2011 16:30

YANBU: Recorded delivery letter to chief exec and cc to consultant. The rheum consultant probably has no idea you have been messed about like this and would be rather unhappy.

Northernlurker · 01/03/2011 16:35

I would suggest that the consultant does know about the state of their clinics but it isn't within their power to do anything about it. Sounds like your hospital needs at least one more consultant tbh. You are doing the right thing to complain.
If your symptoms are worse go back to your GP and ask them to write to the consultant requesting an urgent review. That usually works.

maize · 01/03/2011 16:42

Have you rang the consultant's secretary? - sometimes it is worth talking to them instead of the appointments service.

maltesers · 01/03/2011 16:49

Shoshe you have my full sympathies. I live in Salisbury and find their appointment system disorganised and chaotic. They give you a date for Outpatients over the phone and then the next day send a different appointment in the post !
My Ds saw a paediatrician last June and it took us until January to get a date for theatre. Then when the date of Feb 10th happened my Ds (10 yrs) refused to have the anaesthetic ! ! He needs Circumcision but its not urgent.
I have now an outpatient appointment for June 20th to see the surgeon again. Nightmare !

My son will be 18 by the time we get this Operation done (NOT)
What I really want to do is see an Anaesthetist . . .wonder how long that will take. ? ?

Flip