To complain about this NHS treatment?

[midori1999]

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.

I didn't mean it was a non-issue entirely, just that it was a non-issue in terms of making a formal complaint.

I get why the OP is frustrated, but nothing has been said so far that seems like it warrants a complaint.

I'm not sure it's worth a formal complaint, but a month to type and send the results of a scan is far too long imo. Certainly in the PCTs I've been involved in scan results are reviewed and put onto the system within 24 hours, so a letter can be typed within a couple of days at least. I would say, being generous, up to a fortnight would be acceptable. For something they know has been symptomatic and concerning to the patient, giving the results of any procedures should be done asap.

I would suggest going back to your GP, setting out your concerns and see what they say. If you want/need another appointment, it will be much easier if your GP is on your side.

i would also question the fact that since they had GP/consultant details (and presumably these two did get results on time), why didn't the surgery alert the OP and consultant arrange another appoinment or is it asking for too much ?

in case of my dh's MRI scan the GP surgery received the results in 30min and by the time we were home not only they left a message on the answering machine, they also alerted the consultant. admittedly it was a v v serious situation, but it is all doable (certainly doable within a week or two)

where as my mum was told up to scan 6 weeks for results and it was 4.Then she had to wait a week and a half before getting GP appointment she could attend to ge tthe result. She'd have loved a letter!
But that was a regular 'pathway' - another relative had referral, scan, results and foolow-up within 2-3 weeks. That was suspected and confirmed cancer however

At anyrate you seem to be having a pretty crappy time of it Midori and I do hope it all sorts out for you.

Thanks.

Bemybebe, I completely understand your point regarding your DH's and your treatment. I am very, very sorry about your DD.

Just to clarify, my GP never received my notes following my beast clinic appointments, they seemed suprised at this when they checked their system, so presumably they expected them. I was told MRI results in two weeks, which it wasn't and scan results within 10-14 days. I am not sure why they had the wrong details for me. I havent moved or anything.

I am upset about the length of time things have taken, notably that when I did attend ultrasound it was clear the MRI had given them cause for concern and they suspected possible cancer, not silicone, hence they were considering a biopsy. They didn't say the word cancer, but when I asked direct the consultant said 'let's just get this biopsy done before we jump the gun, if I had done the ultrasound without seeing the MRI I wouldn't be so concerned'.

I do feel they have been a bit dismissive over my care the while time tbh. Initially I thought I had been made a breast clinic appointment by the GP due to BF and my symptoms, I hadn't condidered a rupture, but one consultant was quite pointed in saying if the surgery was cosmetic they wouldn't do anything, except that wasnt why I was there. There have also been several comments made regarding me BF 'still' and intending to BF until DD is at least 2.

Narkypuffin, yes, as far as they know it's safe to BF with ruptured implants. It is certainly safe to BF with 'normal' ruptured implants, silicone cannot enter the milk ducts. No one knows for absolute certain it is safe to BF with PIP implants, because no one knows for sure what is in each and every one of them, but tests so far show it is safe. I feel that considering the known benefits of BF and that FF isn't risk free, plus the fact I have already been feeding DD for 9 months and the information available that I am happy to continue to BF.

midori very good luck with this all, i hope you get it all sorted with the implants and i hope you get it the satisfactory reply from the NHS regarding your care.

I have two opinions on this really.

1. The NHS is probably inundated with the PIP issue at the moment and if yours were privately paid for then they are possibly trying to put the onus back on the original provider.
2. Despite this you did actually ask for a private referral which was rejected, therefore you're in a bit of stalemate as I see it. I agree that its pants that you're clearly having problems with them, and to leave you in pain with no immediate resolution is unkind.

Lots of people get themselves into situations where they end up in hospital through their own misadventure, just because yours was for cosmetic surgery doesn't mean you should be treated any less.

OK so you are BF - so they can't really operate can they? Which is probably why you have not been given a follow up.

A biopsy does not mean cancer, it means we are not sure what this is, lets take a sample and find out.

Having lymph nodes removed can lead to other medical problems, so you do need to discuss your options, hence the call to the breast nurse.

Sorry, I know you are worried and in pain but what do you want them to do? There is nothing surgically they can do so why do you want an appointment?

Can you honestly say your problems, which are very real, are more important than cancer? My mother has just been diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time so I'm probably not as simpathetic as I would be otherwise but I really don't think you are being treated badly.