(NC as very outing if you know us)
DH broke and dislocated his neck at the beginning of March. He spent one night in hospital and had basically no discharge information or advice.
Mid-March he saw a consultant (and found out that the fracture was more serious and more likely to require surgery than anyone had told us previously) who said that he would see him in 4 weeks. He didn’t get that appointment until the end of May (approx 10 weeks) despite several phone calls and emails.
He had been told that he could expect to be in a brace for three months which would have been the beginning of June. Because of the delayed appointment and needing a dynamic X-ray, the consultant told him it would likely be Mid-June. After phoning and chasing, he was eventually given an appointment for today (5 weeks since his last appt) at 8.30 and was told to come in at 8 for the scan.
We arrived at the X-ray department this morning (baby in tow as it was too early and too far away to arrange drop off with my parents) to be told that they don’t open until 9 and that the neurosurgery department ‘always do this’ and he won’t be seen until after 9 as he doesn’t have an appointment and isn’t a priority.
There is still a chance DH needs surgery due to the dislocation and we won’t know until after this dynamic X-ray (that DH is still waiting for). He has been living his life on hold for 4 months now. He can’t drive, can’t lie in a comfortable position, and is missing out on the things he loves doing.
I understand that the service is stretched and he’s not in immediate danger. I know it’s only really an extra month in the grand scheme of things but being messed around this morning has really gotten to me and I feel so upset for DH. I just feel like the whole appointment system is a total shambles. He’s been really struggling with everything as it is, without being constantly forgotten about and misinformed.
Not really an AIBU. I’m just annoyed.