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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain about this NHS treatment?

34 replies

midori1999 · 01/04/2012 14:11

I'm not sure tbh.

I have PIP breast implants (the ones in the media) and am also BF my nine month old DD. I had a number of symptoms on and off and last Dec my GP sent me to the breast clinic, querying a rupture. Nothing had been in the media yet and I thought the GP was a bit over cautious, but another possible cause of my symptoms was mastitis. The breast nurse examined me, a consultant examined me and another consultant scanned me. (ultrasound) they couldn't find anything but couldn't see behind or the back of the implant. I went away and kept getting repeated symptoms.

After everything was in the press I went back to my GP to ask for a referral for a private MRI scan as you still need a referral even if private. She said she wouldn't hear of such nonsense and would refer me back to breast clinic for MRI. They agreed to do the MRI and I then had to chase them up about the results. The nurse said they had the wrong details for me but had been trying to contact me. The MRI had shown my lymph nodes were very enlarged and I needed another ultrasound to check it out. The area which I now know to be the lymph nodes has been lumpy/enlarged since before my first clinic appointment. I had though to start with I was getting blocked milk ducts. I had mentioned this at the clinic.

At the scan the doctor wasn't sure whether she needed to biopsy to confirm the enlargement was caused by silicone and nothing else. Her colleague looked and they agreed silicone. I asked what I would need to do and they said I'd get a breast clinic follow up appointment.

I got a letter yesterday basically saying there's silicone in my lymph nodes and I can ring to speak to the breast nurse to discuss, but they won't see me unless I have 'new concerns'. They have suggested I speak to my surgeon. That was a waste of time and I have booked to see a different private surgeon who is also an NHS breast specialist so I hope he will be able to help.

I never intended the NHS to foot any of the bill for this, but surely as they scanned me they should follow it up properly? I am in quite a lot of pain, having to take painkillers, presumably as the silicone is an irritant (studies have so far shown it non toxic and non carcinogenic) and certainly at least the second doctor who scanned me wasnt aware of all the info regarding PIPs.

OP posts:
Memoo · 01/04/2012 14:12

Yanbu.

TidyDancer · 01/04/2012 14:13

Do you believe that they tried to contact you and just had the wrong details?

SauvignonBlanche · 01/04/2012 14:17

Presumably the PIP implants were put in privately? Then they should be providing the aftercare and any follow-up treatment required.

catsareevil · 01/04/2012 14:33

Can you contact the surgeon who did the implants?

Original poster
midori1999 · 01/04/2012 14:37

Well, I gave them my details last time and they obviously do have my address now.

Yes, they were put in privately. I am waiting on a decision to see if my original surgeon will remove and replace for free. (my MRI showed no rupture but silicone outside the implant so there's a chance a rupture was missed) I do not want to use my original surgeon and he was quite rude to me at the consultation actually, but he is not qualified to remove my lymph nodes if that needs doing, nor will he consider removing the affected implant only for now if I dry up my milk supply on that side as I do not wish to stop BF. Hence waiting to see a different private surgeon.

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 01/04/2012 14:44

I'm not sure I completely understand on what grounds you want to complain. That's not to suggest you shouldn't complain, just that, per my original question, I'm just confused as to why.

Original poster
midori1999 · 01/04/2012 14:52

Suppose over the lost details and then the fact they have taken so long to contact me after telling me there was silicone in my lymph nodes and to wait for another appointment, plus pretty much refusing to see me for a follow up appointment to discuss the lypmh node issue and what needs to be done regarding it.

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 01/04/2012 16:01

Lost details is a non-issue for me, accidents happen and you can't really be sure that it was their fault.

How long did they take to contact you? Looked for a timescale in your OP, but may have missed it.

I guess their feeling is that you should be taking the other issues private, this may possibly be their 'policy' wrt PIP implants.

catsareevil · 01/04/2012 16:07

Would it be worth contacting the breast nurse to discuss the biopsy findings?

dontaskwhereIlive · 01/04/2012 16:08

I'm not sure what you feel yo might complain about?

Is it having to ask for the results? TBH if it is then I don't think this is a 'complaint'. I don't think it is unreasonable for a mistake like wrong contact details to happen and for a perfectly sensible person to ring their hospital or GP or whatever to see where the results are.

Obviously vulnerable groups need different type of follow up - imo.

Unless it is some thing else you feel needs bringing to their attention.

FWIW - it was good the GP referred you to NHS for a scan, must have saved you some ££. SO that is a positive. Especially as it is probably them that decide if operations or treatments are needed.

It must be stressful for you, hope it all resolves.

SauvignonBlanche · 01/04/2012 16:15

As the silicone is most likey as a result of the PIP implants surely the NHS would expect the private clinic to remedy the situation? I thought that was the agreement in England.
I'm sure the clinic has other surgeons.
Hope it works out ok for you.

Original poster
midori1999 · 01/04/2012 16:45

There's no doubt that the silicone is a result of the PIPs, there's no other way it got there.

It's taken just under a month for them to send me a letter after the scan, I was expecting a letter for an appointment to follow up as I'd been told I'd get one. I did chase up with my GP but she said appointments can take a while and she'd chase it up. I just feel its wrong to scan and then not discuss the results with me. It's obviously left me anxious, despite not being so previously as I don't know what to expect.

I'm in Scotland, not England, but the situation is that the NHS would remove where private clinics refuse to. I do not want the NHS to operate, but Since my original surgery it's been discovered I have a blood clotting disorder which isn't rare yet my surgeon hadn't even heard of. The clinic no longer has any surgeons who can remove lymph nodes. Some of their surgeons left after the PIP thing was in the press.

OP posts:
dontaskwhereIlive · 01/04/2012 16:51

Well, a month seems ok to me - presumably the results need to be reviewed by the Drs and then typed and sent. You've been told they are happy not to see you again unless you have new concerns.

So as you have - that you want to discuss the results with them - ring and ask for a follow up. I am not sure what else they could have done?

SoupDragon · 01/04/2012 16:53

Ignoring the fact that it's breast implants causing the problem (as that is irrelevant), YANBU to think that the service from the NHS was lacking.

dontaskwhereIlive · 01/04/2012 17:00

Why though SoupDragon?

The MRI was done aas requested by midori1999, which then led to a scan as it was inconclusive. A problem with address/something or other meant there was a delay (how long was that OP?) between the MRI and Scan. Which is a shame but Midori did right thing chasing it up and it happened.

Scan took place and instead of waiting to send a letter for a follow up appointment they sent a letter saying they see silicone and to discuss with breast nurse. They won't see unless new concerns.

So, as I see it, Midori1999, you can simply ring and discuss this and take it from there?

SoupDragon · 01/04/2012 17:02

The fact that they messed up her contact details.

ohyouBadBadkitten · 01/04/2012 17:04

I think the cause ( the pip implants) is a red herring here. The problem has spread beyond your breasts, you are in discomfort and suffering medically. You need treatment.

Ok, say someone broke their leg skiing. The doctors abroad did a terrible job. When the patient came back to the UK should the nhs send the patient back abroad to get fixed because it wasn't them that caused the issue?

dontaskwhereIlive · 01/04/2012 17:05

I gues that is down to personal preference - I wouldn't complain for that.

But if you feel you should op, then I guess PALS is the right route.

dontaskwhereIlive · 01/04/2012 17:08

I don't think Midori1999 is upset about the implant side of things anyway ohyouBadBadKitten. I think it is the follow up to the NHS investigations?

If you do go aheadwith a complaint then be clear in your mind what it is you are unhappy with and make that clear to them. Be clear what you wanted to happen and ways that the service differed. SO they can repond to your actual concerns and not in general terms. It may be a 'back up services' issue like admin that is at fault, so the complaint will be more efficient if they know where to start investigating Smile

NarkedPuffin · 01/04/2012 17:18

Is it safe to BF if you have silicone in your system?

Cherriesarelovely · 01/04/2012 17:22

Ummm, I dont think lost details is a non issue at all. I am having a few similar troubles with this myself, important ecgs that have gone missing that would have hurried up my diagnosis and treatment for a heart condition. It was the cavalier attitude of the Dr when he told me that really disturbed me "Oh yes, those ECGs, the ones where you problem was very evident, they have been lost, that happens all the time" He then advised me to insist on a copy of every ecg when it is done. I haven't complained because other than that my treament (particularly by the nursing staff) has been outstanding but my family are outraged. I don't blame you for wanting to say something even if you don't write a formal complaint.

slowburner · 01/04/2012 17:24

Marked puffin asked the very question that I was going to

slowburner · 01/04/2012 17:26

*narkedpuffin sorry. Blame ipad

dontaskwhereIlive · 01/04/2012 17:31

Hmmm. Thing is though Cherriesarelovely is that nothing has gone missing like in your situation. They had wrong contact details.

COuld you investigate why Midori1999? Have you moved or changed numbers anything? Presumably it should have been checked with you and wasn't - which would appear to be an error. Which happens. Entirely up to you if you complain or not.

If that is what you are wanting to complain about? I'm just guessing really.

bemybebe · 01/04/2012 17:37

midori I really feel for you, especially in the light of the relatively upbeat posts by you in the aftermath of all the pip fiasco. i felt you were (and still are) very brave and measured, much more than i would have been in your position.

however, beyond NHS messing up your details i really cannot see what else they could have done. and your justified objection to the way you are treated is set against the background of general disorganization and then additional strains brought up by the cuts where my dh could not get MRI for a long time to diagnose his nearly fatal pseudo-aneurysm (he went private, thank god and that saved his life) and me having a very hands off pg care resulting in preterm delivery and death of my dd.

sorry, i realize i am not very helpful, i have my own ishoos wrt NHS i guess

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