Fed up of waiting for test results

[Weeantwee]

I've never had any health issues until now so not sure what the norm is for NHS but I'm having to wait ages for any test results. The first was a CT scan, a 2 month wait, my GP had to chase it up. Then an MRI, same hospital, 4 month wait, chased up by me as my GP was off work sick. The third was a spinal X-ray at another hospital, 2 month wait for those results but that was me contacting them and being told that they had a secretarial error and that I should have received a letter. A letter came through 2 months later telling me what I already knew. Now I'm waiting on DNA screening results and have been since June.

Is this normal? It's 2 years since I was first referred for tests and I still don't have a confirmed diagnosis, just a 'suspected' genetic heart condition. I feel like my life is on hold.

Obviously I'm asking AIBU and impatient and is this waiting acceptable?

I don't think you are BU or impatient however, we all, patients and NHS staff alike, have to function within the systems that are in place - sometimes, efficient and speedy, sometimes less so.
As a result of my own NHS patient experience, I now make a point of asking the person undertaking my test - be it blood test, X-ray, screening etc etc, when can I expect to get the results.?
This means, if they tell me it may be 4 - 6 weeks before I hear anything, I won't be fretting and worrying if I've heard nothing for 3 weeks.
It also means that I make a point 1 week after the deadline has passed, to start chasing my GP, Consultant's secretary etc for the results confident in the knowledge that I have waited a reasonable length of time before starting to hassle.
Good luck with your results and hope you have the answers you need very soon.

Wow! Your waiting times seem incredibly long to me. We live in the US, so private medical care, my DS has to have many MRIs/CTs/x-rays etc and we get the results the same day or at the most within the week.

I would expect DNA results to take longer as it would involve lab work, perhaps up to a couple of months.

DNA can take ages. Particularly if what you've got is an unusual genetic mutation. They'll look for all the common ones first obviously. if they find a positive, then I expect they'll tell you fairly quickly.

Much like harpy I now ask pointedly when can I expect the results? Will I get a phonecall/letter or should I see my GP? I don't know what the norm is for the tests you're getting so I can't say if YABU or not.

Blimy they seem like long waits. One thing i've learnt in life is that those people who make a fuss the loudest, get what they want the quickest. Make a nuisance of yourself.

Why is there a wait? In normal places they tell you straight away. My cousin died in the 6 months he was waiting for his MRI result. 2 month wait for an xray result? My polyclinic (not in UK) has a walk in service and you get an appointment straight after the xray with the radiologist. The NHS is shit and people have no idea what decent healthcare is.

This is exactly the sort of thing that my family experiences time and time again with the NHS. We have family using the german system and have ourselves lived overseas using private healthcare. The difference in these systems is just astonishing. The NHS is just not up to the job anymore IMO, it is not good value for money. And private healthcare here isn't great either. I guess because it and the NHS don't work well alongside each other eg consultants working for both but in 2 different locations, no private A and E etc.

OP YANBU

Thanks for the replies. I'm not the sort of person who likes to make a nuisance of themselves but perhaps I need to start :) I was told after the X-ray that I would hear in 7 days! Any other time, they have just said the consultant will contact you in due course. I obviously need to be more demanding and stop twiddling my thumbs waiting.

I was referred for a MRI scan on a Tuesday, got phoned and given an appointment for Saturday and had my results the following Wednesday (all NHS).

YANBU in expecting to get prompt, good treatment. Contact PALS and complain.