To ask for a handhold and to think there is a way around computer says no

[Hospitalexpert]

Sorry this is long.

I feel a mixture of annoyed at myself, stupid, frustrated and worried. I feel I a fool and should have advocated better for myself.

I have nosebleeds that can be severe and need laser treatment regularly to keep on top of them. Longest bleed 3 hours, needed emergency pacing, laser and a blood transfusion after that.

Moved house in April and got GP to refer me. Six month wait - bad but my nosebleeds weren’t that bad. Hospital must have been worried about targets as they sent me for a “top up” clinic - private, not even in the same trust area. Consultant really nice said as soon as he looked at the letter that he knew he can’t help as laser is only hospital and can’t even refer to my local hospital as he isn’t in the same trust. Said I would need. another referral from GP, he VC would write but to chase it.

That was October- meanwhile nosebleeds worse gone from 15 mins to longest 45 and both nostrils not one. chased last week, no referral, receptionist said would contact me to say if GP had to see me. Didn’t - I finally saw a GP today who said can refer but not urgently. If it was cancer they could, nosebleeds aren’t urgent whatever the background, what hospital have done. She doesn’t know how long wait will be as not in charge of the list. I do - six months maybe longer with winter pressure, then surgery waiting list.

I feel like a fool that I couldn’t have done better. Family will probably help me complain which I hate needing help.

Emergency packing not pacing.

Bump

A handhold from me.

I hope it comes round very soon.

Wouldn't the blood transfusions bump you up?

I have been bumped waiting time for surgery because of transfusions.

That's awful. Have you had blood tests done? If you had anaemia, would that bump you up?

Not that I wish it on you.

That sounds awful. I can't advise much but can you just keep going back to the gp as often as you can just to be the squeaky wheel that often gets the grease?

I had to make another appointment as I was leaving the gps surgery once in order to get an urgent cancer referral. I hated doing it but had no choice.

All you can do is keep going to a&e if you need packing and transfusion each time.

You need to be referred to an ENT. My father was gushing blood from his nose for weeks (possibly months), before my mother found him passed out in a pool of blood in the ensuite one night (because he’d never mentioned it as it “would sort itself out”). He was referred to and saw an ENT within a fortnight, who cauterised something up his nose (I can’t remember exactly what was wrong/fixed) and he has been fine since. Perhaps a private referral would be quicker?

Good luck.

can you just keep going back to the gp as often as you can just to be the squeaky wheel that often gets the grease

Please don't do this. GPs have no control at all over waiting lists. As much as I would love to, I am unable to bump a patient up a list. It simply isn't my decision.

I have patients currently who I have diagnosed with serious conditions, who are having to wait 3-4 months to see a consultant. There is medication to treat their conditions, but I am unable to prescribe it in primary care, so they are suffering unnecessarily for a lot longer.

I wouldn't keep going back to gp but once referral has been made can you ring and say you'll accept short notice cancellations.
I moved house and me and my ds1are disabled we have had to wait for several clinics on long waiting lists. It's frustrating.
Once you've been allocated a consultant get friendly with their secretary if they have a cancellation they may contact you.
Winter pressure is a big issue I was due to have surgery last November ended up being April as trust I was under say its cheaper to be fined for cancelling all surgery and having longer waiting lists than booking surgery and having to cancel it.
I would monitor your condition document all your bleeds so you've got a record and also if you feel its having a detrimental effect on your health go back to your gp.

I had one really bad nosebleed and was sent to A&E by 111 - was admitted and eventually had surgery almost a week later. Could you go to A&E, do they stop on their own?

I was referred by my GP to our local hospital. Told it would be a 40 week wait before they sent me an appointment because the GP had referred me to a specific hospital.
I phoned the appointments people and told them I'd go anywhere. Appointment 4 weeks later in a hospital 30 miles away. Different NHS Trust, it's a pain to get to and all my treatment will be there. But I'm happy - my CT scan was a couple of weeks later and now I have another hospital appointment for the results, all much faster than if I'd stuck with the local hospital.
Mine is ear issues, but exploring other local hospitals might be worth thinking about if you have transport. If my GP had referred me to any hospital I'd have had a choice from the start.

Thanks. I’m not going to the GP again, know it’s not their fault. Not the hospital staff fault either, part of not having enough doctors/beds/money.

I may look at contacting the hospital once to see if they can help move me up,

Feel better this morning as I don’t think it’s my fault. I’m actually incredibly lucky with my bleeds. I don’t let bleeds get too long before I go to hospital because I live alone.