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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:
fedup21 · 10/02/2020 16:54

Go to the local Family Planning-they’ll take it out for you.

ilovemyrednosedaymug · 10/02/2020 17:01

I do think YABU. You have been offered a date, but don't want to take it. The world is not going to end with your project, and if you explain that you have to have a medical procedure then nobody can say anything as we all need medical attention from time to time.

Just get it booked in and get it over with and then you can concentrate on your project.

If you want to put your work first because it is not causing you any pain then sadly you will just have to back into the system and wait your turn again.

I get that it is frustrating, but it is your choice to delay, not the NHS's fault.

nsav · 10/02/2020 17:03

They removed mine on the day I asked at my local sexual health clinic

SinkGirl · 10/02/2020 17:06

They can’t remove hers though - that’s already been tried. There are complicating factors.

Took a year to get mine out under GA and it was causing hideous pain and contractions every day. All because the gynae during surgery who put it in cut the strings too short. Led to horrendous trauma for me that is hard to even explain.

lemonsandlimes123 · 10/02/2020 17:06

I very much doubt that whatever you do is so incredibly critical to the world that it will stop turning if you take half a day off between now and June! People really do overestimate the importance of their work. You would prefer not to but you really really can and the world wont end.

itbemay · 10/02/2020 17:06

YANBU! The system is rubbish and you have every right to be annoyed, however unless you want to go private I would cancel and go back to GP for another referral and hope the waiting list doesn't miraculously shorten until before June!

feelingpositive2020 · 10/02/2020 17:10

They might not be able to book that far in advance.

Didiplanthis · 10/02/2020 17:14

How does the SWISH clinic know it's not for contraception ? You could have a new sexual partner and been using it for this....

Glassmami · 10/02/2020 17:15

Go to your local family planning clinic and have it removed there. My GP won't do anything contraception related unless it's the pill or injection

Dontdisturbmenow · 10/02/2020 17:15

@JinglingHellsBells, I read the thread thank you. By 'sacked' I meant removed from the project.

I very much doubt any client would make a massive fuss over missing a couple of hours on one Wednesday for the purpose of a health appointment that can't take place another day but Wednesday. Noone is that essential!

Original poster
ACautionaryTale · 10/02/2020 17:17

SWISH knew because I was honest when they asked me what I was doing for contraception since it should have been removed the year before.

Had I known I would have lied.

OP posts:
Whyhaveidonethis · 10/02/2020 17:18

I think you are being a bit unreasonable. Take a day off. If you were going on Holiday I assume they would cope without you, they will cope without you for one day. It's not really the hospitals fault they run the clinic one day a week and you can't fit it in.

For what it's worth, my GP couldn't remove mine once as they couldn't find the strings, I was on the wait list for the hospital but had an appointment at the GUM clinic c and she rooted around a bit and found them and removed it in seconds. Definitely worth a second try

Original poster
ACautionaryTale · 10/02/2020 17:19

It would not be a couple
Of hours - I need to be several hours away on the same day. I cant pop into the hospital in the morning three go back to work - I wouldn’t get there until mid afternoon so pointless.

No, they would not probably mind but I want to make sure I do everything I can to secure four years work.

OP posts:
MoonlightMistletoe · 10/02/2020 17:22

Go to a sexual health clinic

OliviaBenson · 10/02/2020 17:24

Do you never take annual leave on a weds then? It's hardly an elective procedure if it's stuck in a fibroid and I think you should have it done.

No one reasonable is going to hold you having one Wednesday off in the next 5 months against you.

Silentplikebath · 10/02/2020 17:25

In your situation I would get it done privately.

SnuggyBuggy · 10/02/2020 17:29

I hate to say it but when it comes to NHS appointments you often do have to just take what you're given. Many clinics and services are seriously over capacity which means they can't be flexible.

Casino218 · 10/02/2020 17:31

You either need it or you don't. If you need it then make the appointment. My husband is a busy teacher but always makes his nhs appointments.

BlueJava · 10/02/2020 17:33

Personally I'd tell the company I had to have a procedure which is only available on a Wednesday, apologise to them and ensure your work is up to date by working extra if needed. Alternatively go private and you should then be able to select your date.

Justyouandme33 · 10/02/2020 17:37

I had this done privately about 4 years ago and it cost me £140. Clinic in Richmond, was done in 5 mins

Nearly47 · 10/02/2020 17:38

I don't get why you had to wait for 14 months. I must be lucky because was seen much sooner. Also if they can't take it out at your GP doesn't that mean the chance of some complication? Sometimes it implants/ perforates the uterus.

Iusedtobeapartygirl · 10/02/2020 17:40

Go private. Try a Spire hospital if there's one close to you.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 10/02/2020 17:40

I dont understand why you wouldnt go to a GUM clinic to have it done?

TwinsTrollsAndHunz · 10/02/2020 17:41

I understand it is frustrating, waiting all this time only to find that the clinic runs on a day you can’t do. It is pretty standard policy to get two offers and then get discharged back to your GP if you decline, NHS are waiting lists are unwieldy enough without having people ‘placeholding’ until they can attend.

I agree with PP, go to your local GUM clinic instead.

VioletCharlotte · 10/02/2020 17:43

Seriously? Do you have any idea how stretched the NHS? Taking one day out of your job really won't make any difference to your life. If it was in June when the project went live, I would kind of get it, but the appointment's in February.

If it's that important to you, you need to pay to go privately.