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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be pissed off with the NHS over being referred back to GP by hospital......

158 replies

ACautionaryTale · 10/02/2020 15:13

So I've been on the waiting list to have the mirena removed by the hospital as the GP couldn't manage it. I've been waiting over 14 months - which is fine as its not urgent. I don't need it for contraception (DH had the snip) and I'm not planning on getting another one put in.

I got a letter through telling my my appointment was the 19th Feb. Except that I can't do that day. Im self employed and working on a critical project for a major company which goes live beginning of June.

If it goes well, I'm highly likely to get quite a lot of repeat business. We are talking enough to keep my income going for the next few years.

Wednesdays are the one key day of the week that its very visible if you are not around. It was planned that way so that people could have long weekends during the project as it was acknowledged that for anyone involved, taking a whole week would be difficult until end of June.

I phoned up to re-arrange my appointment and they offered me another Wednesday two weeks later. They only do this procedure on a Wednesday. I said this was not possible and could I just go on the list for some time after the end of June as I knew it was not urgent.

This is not possible as you can't delay over three months - if you do you get sent back to the consultant who sends you back to the GP and you have to go through the whole process again.

I feel like banging my head against a wall.

OP posts:
a12345b · 10/02/2020 15:32

Just stupid that a GP can t remove a mirena coil tbh

BorneoBabe · 10/02/2020 15:34

Schedule it for the latest date possible, then call up in a few months and change it again.

WikkiTikkiWoo · 10/02/2020 15:34

Get an appointment at your sexual health clinic.. they were very flexible on appt times, and removed my coil when my GP couldn't. aND WITH NO FUSS.

catmumof1 · 10/02/2020 15:36

When you say the GP couldn't manage it do you mean it's a complicated removal or just that it's a service they don't offer?
If it's a straightforward removal have you tried any local sexual health clinics rather that going through the GP/hospital?
If it's a complicated removal then you should really commit a little time to it.

BeautifulBirds · 10/02/2020 15:40

It's an 8 week waiting list for have coils fitted where I am. Not great.

Didiplanthis · 10/02/2020 15:42

Not stupid the GP cant remove it if its migrated up and the strings arent there or its embedded itself in the uterus wall. Then It needs removing in an appropriate setting with the right equipment which isnt going to be a GP surgery, if it needs a hysterosvope, USS or access to appropriate facilities if there is significant bleeding if embedded ! It's only a GP suitable procedure if it's in the right place.

MulticolourMophead · 10/02/2020 15:43

If OP has been waiting 14 months, that already breaches the 18 week protocol, surely.

Original poster
ACautionaryTale · 10/02/2020 15:44

My GP can't remove it - seemingly its caught up on a fibroid so classes as a complicated removal.

I'm quite happy to commit time to it (albeit as someone suggests its not 100% necessary which is why I was relatively happy about waiting 14 months so far) - just not on a Wednesday this side of June 30th.

I guess what pisses me off is they can make me wait 14 months but I have to jump when they say.

OP posts:
Darkstar4855 · 10/02/2020 15:47

Ask if you can be referred to a different hospital, hopefully they’ll be able to offer you a different day.

stormciarathegale · 10/02/2020 15:47

YANBU

Ginfilledcats · 10/02/2020 15:48

So yes there is a rule re pts delaying 3 months. Just ask them to put you on "watch and wait" and to "stop your clock" until the end of June. It's the RTT clock they'll be bothered about.
As long as you can attend on a Wednesday after June they should accommodate this.

Alternatively, ring other local hospitals to find out the day of their clinics and if they suit, if not, ring PALs and explain your predicament

SinkGirl · 10/02/2020 15:49

I had to have mine removed under GA after multiple failed attempts to retrieve it and horrendous trauma following one hospital attempt. If the GP can’t get it then it’s unlikely to be resolved outside of a hospital.

sugarbum · 10/02/2020 15:50

I understand your frustration OP, but this really isn't the case

I guess what pisses me off is they can make me wait 14 months but I have to jump when they say.

They're not asking you to jump when they say, they are offering you the next available slot. Which you said you can't do, so they offered you the one after. Which again, they can't do. Their system clearly doesn't allow for delayed requests. Which is a fucker. But its the way it works. Its not personal. If they only do the procedure on a Wednesday, then they only do it on a Wednesday. Which is really bad luck on your part, but again, it is what it is.

I'd find out the price to get it done privately. But I'd also inquire at sexual health clinics.

Original poster
ACautionaryTale · 10/02/2020 15:53

@SinkGirl

That sort of is one of the reasons why I'm not in inclined to shoe horn it in.

@Ginfilledcats

I did try that. Nope, No can do.

I have a feeling me and my coil might be permanently together. And I'm ok with that as I don't want kids and my DH has had the snip. I'm wondering if there's any need for all this hassle in the first place.

OP posts:
lpchill · 10/02/2020 15:56

Have you checked your local sexual health clinics to see if they do removal? They might fare better than the GP as they will have a lot more experience in insertion and removal.

Astrabees · 10/02/2020 15:57

Mine was in for 20 years! It wasn't causing any problems and GPs repeatedly said not to bother having it out. Last year I mentioned it to a locum GP and she took it out herself as she thought it might be a good idea not to have old bits of defunct plastic lurking about in there. it came out very easily and I don't think she was an expert. Could another GP at your practice do it? if not maybe put it on hold for a while?

Hoppinggreen · 10/02/2020 15:58

I know it’s a pain but both me and DH are self employed
Sometimes it costs us less to go private and not lose earnings than have an NHS appointment. If that’s an option for you then take it, unfortunately The NHS isn’t set up to work around people’s other commitments generally

TheDarkPassenger · 10/02/2020 15:59

I pulled my own out, it was very easy. American women do lots of ‘how you videos because it costs stupid amounts over there to get them removed.

Pieceofpurplesky · 10/02/2020 16:01

The OP has said it needs removing in the hospital as the doctor can't do it. I am waiting for the same procedure as the lining of my womb has grown over it - I suspect, like me, the OP will have to have it cut out. I have been told not to drive and expect bleeding and discomfort for a few days.

TDL2016 · 10/02/2020 16:02

Go to your local sexual health clinic.

aroundtheworldyet · 10/02/2020 16:04

But you can surely understand the procedure would be to send you back, many thing may have changed For you physically! It’s obviously annoying. But not that annoying.
Also many clinics are only run on a certain day. When I broke my shoulder the clinic was only on Tuesdays. Forever!

Flippetydip · 10/02/2020 16:04

*Did you not know you're not allowed to say anything remotely critical of the NHS on here, op?

People will now exaggerate and make shit up to attack you*

This - in spades.

QuixoticQuokka · 10/02/2020 16:05

What would happen if you were ill on a Wednesday? I understand one appointment not being suitable but YABU to say you can't do any Wednesday.

Original poster
ACautionaryTale · 10/02/2020 16:09

@QuixoticQuokka

If I were ill on a Wednesday that is one thing. But its unavoidable as you don't choose to get ill or the timing of it.

This almost seems to me like an elective procedure in that its not 100% medically necessary.

OP posts:
notalwaysalondoner · 10/02/2020 16:16

My GP couldn’t remove mine, made an appointment at the sexual health clinic (don’t need a referral) at 8pm after work one day, had it out within 3 weeks or so. If you’re in London anyway and it’s not urgent get an appointment at the nearest sexual health clinic - they almost all do longer surgery hours too as they want to make sure everyone can access their services.