Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How many people have been failed by the NHS during lockdown?

629 replies

Polnm · 19/08/2020 00:14

My DH has cancer.

His appointment in April was by phone
His appointment in August was postponed until October

How is this acceptable? Hospitals are empty whilst patients can’t access care.

GP appointments by zoom with a 2 week wait for a basic blood pressure check in person or to take bloods

Why isn’t there more publicity and outrage about this?

We can’t be the only family going through this surely?

OP posts:
ClearTheDecks · 19/08/2020 00:15

I don't understand it tbh.

Original poster
Polnm · 19/08/2020 00:17

@ClearTheDecks

I don't understand it tbh.
What dong you understand?

That cancer treatment has been stopped due to cv19 an no one seems to care?

OP posts:
Haenow · 19/08/2020 00:20

I’m so sorry. :(
I’ve had only telephone appointments. The quality and consistency of the care has been fantastic, as always. I’m fortunate to be under the care of excellent doctors. However, they’ve also expressed frustration that I cannot access my usual treatment due to covid so my health has declined. It feels the people care very much but the system does not.

MobLife · 19/08/2020 00:20

It's not acceptable. But your husband hasn't been failed by the NHS, he's been failed by the government that was voted in to run this country

ClearTheDecks · 19/08/2020 00:21

Sorry I don't understand the cancer care still being so impacted.

jellybeanz1212 · 19/08/2020 00:23

Not as important as your DH but had gallbladder removal operation cancelled and waiting for a new date, also no date for my type 1 diabetes yearly check ups at the GP and Hospital Clinic

Original poster
Polnm · 19/08/2020 00:24

@Haenow

I’m so sorry. :( I’ve had only telephone appointments. The quality and consistency of the care has been fantastic, as always. I’m fortunate to be under the care of excellent doctors. However, they’ve also expressed frustration that I cannot access my usual treatment due to covid so my health has declined. It feels the people care very much but the system does not.
I am so sorry for you. A telephone appointment can’t look at a lump, take a blood pressure or measure a temperature.

Why are people accepting this?

OP posts:
painandmorepain · 19/08/2020 00:24

I dont understand the lack of outrage over this either. The impact will last years. Why cant things like mammograms take place. Generally aside from the exam results, (with the protests and threats of lawyers) there seems very little real outrage. Now Dido Harding taking over restructure of PHE and no one is surprised and just accepts it.

Original poster
Polnm · 19/08/2020 00:26

@jellybeanz1212

Not as important as your DH but had gallbladder removal operation cancelled and waiting for a new date, also no date for my type 1 diabetes yearly check ups at the GP and Hospital Clinic
They are both important. Missing annual check isn’t acceptable and gall bladder surgery wait time were already unacceptable prior to cv 19
OP posts:
ClearTheDecks · 19/08/2020 00:27

Perhaps because the narrative has been to get behind the NHS.

TwoHoots74 · 19/08/2020 00:28

My brother. He had a cardiologist appointment cancelled. He c had an aortic aneurysm. Sadly that ruptured and he died. He was 49! 49. Ffs. He would still be here if his appointment wasn't cancelled.

Original poster
Polnm · 19/08/2020 00:29

@TwoHoots74

My brother. He had a cardiologist appointment cancelled. He c had an aortic aneurysm. Sadly that ruptured and he died. He was 49! 49. Ffs. He would still be here if his appointment wasn't cancelled.
I am so sorry that happened.
OP posts:
Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 19/08/2020 00:32

Yep. All of my hospital appointments have been over the phone and each time the Dr says "we need to see you in person, we'll get you in asap" now I'm chasing for appointments that haven't been made but can't speak to anyone that can help.

Been waiting for an "urgent" referral to a respiratory consultant since early February. Started respiratory physio in June via WhatsApp but obviously they couldn't examine me. I took it upon myself to measure my oxygen saturation while doing it and when we saw it dropped to 83% the Physio suspended treatment and spike to the consultant. He wants to see me urgently but they are snowed under seeing post Covid patients.

By the time things get up and running again we'll be in the second wave and it will all be stopped again

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 19/08/2020 00:32

@TwoHoots74

My brother. He had a cardiologist appointment cancelled. He c had an aortic aneurysm. Sadly that ruptured and he died. He was 49! 49. Ffs. He would still be here if his appointment wasn't cancelled.
That's awful. I'm so sorry.
mineofuselessinformation · 19/08/2020 00:38

Twohools that's horrific. Thanks
Dc2 is still waiting for a hospital appointment for a medical issue that massively affects their life and well-being.
DM came home after a month in hospital and then rehab (she fell and broke her pelvis in three places, and fractured her femur which needed to be plated). It took two weeks for her to get appropriate pain relief after either being completely off her face and not safe to leave, or in horrendous pain (9/10 score and she's pretty tough).
Her GPs were too fucking scared to see her face to face, and too lazy to bother making any effort above the bare minimum.
It took a 999 call (one night when she couldn't bear it any more) and five telephone calls from me to the GP surgery. Eventually it was a 111 nurse practitioner who made the effort to sort her out.
I'm still furious with the surgery, and it has been very interesting to see the eye rolls from carers and medical staff when we tell them which surgery she's with.

mineofuselessinformation · 19/08/2020 00:41

Oh, and I have a failed prolapse repair which I need to get re-done, but know it's pointless trying at the moment.
I also have a knee that keeps swelling, and a problem with my shoulder that I think needs surgery. Both of these would need an examination to properly assess them, so I can't be bothered wasting my time to ask for help while doctors are so reluctant to see patients.

flumposie · 19/08/2020 00:42

My elderly Mum. Recent treatment in hospital was negligible. Sent home to pretty much fend for herself. As an aside : Dentist. Still collecting my monthly payments since March. Missed 2 appointments. Heard nothing.

SauvignonGrower · 19/08/2020 00:46

I would normally visit the hospital once every 12 weeks to adjust medicines and injections for a chronic condition. Heard nothing since they cancelled my visit mid-March. It won't kill me, but it does affect my quality of life.

I'm so sorry for those of you who have more critical medical issues. We need to get a grip on operating the NHS normally alongside the handful of COVID patients there are.

Original poster
Polnm · 19/08/2020 00:49

So the appointment in April was by phone (aka useless). By mid May my DB was unwell and I called the consultant. Unable to see him due to cv19 but commissioned some blood tests

Then got the letter saying the august appointment was postponed until October. My brave DH who had battled cancer for over year was deteriorating quickly. I pulled the stops out to call everyone I could think of that we had met on his cancer journey, I finally got the secretary of an oncologist who listened as I cried on the phone and she got me a doctor who took it seriously

He finally had an appointment last week which sadly wasn’t good and he is in the cancer centre for more tests later today

I am a middle aged, professional woman who kicked up a fuss. What about those who can’t do the same?

There must be thousands like my DH and we need to raise the profile about this as it is unacceptable

OP posts:
Spanglebangle · 19/08/2020 00:53

Another gallbladder operation cancelled here. Not as bad as the cancer patients but the pain has made me suicidal at times.
I have an operation scheduled for the end of the month but the hospital had already tried to move it to next month.

Original poster
Polnm · 19/08/2020 00:55

@Spanglebangle

Another gallbladder operation cancelled here. Not as bad as the cancer patients but the pain has made me suicidal at times. I have an operation scheduled for the end of the month but the hospital had already tried to move it to next month.
Gall bladder is awful your quality of life is severely impacted
OP posts:
Original poster
Polnm · 19/08/2020 00:58

@flumposie

My elderly Mum. Recent treatment in hospital was negligible. Sent home to pretty much fend for herself. As an aside : Dentist. Still collecting my monthly payments since March. Missed 2 appointments. Heard nothing.
Your poor mum. Keep pushing for her care My DS is having dental work done is it just your dentist?
OP posts:
fedup2345 · 19/08/2020 01:04

Friend was told she was dying of cancer over FaceTime . Told she won’t see this Christmas . No face to face support offered, just phone calls .

GingersRum · 19/08/2020 01:06

I was diagnosed with cancer a week before lockdown started. I was warned I would have to wait for surgery, I waited just under 20 weeks to have my op. I hope it doesn't prove to be too long.

Original poster
Polnm · 19/08/2020 01:07

@SauvignonGrower

I would normally visit the hospital once every 12 weeks to adjust medicines and injections for a chronic condition. Heard nothing since they cancelled my visit mid-March. It won't kill me, but it does affect my quality of life.

I'm so sorry for those of you who have more critical medical issues. We need to get a grip on operating the NHS normally alongside the handful of COVID patients there are.

That is not acceptable. If you deteriorate the long term cost to the NHS will far outweigh that of a missed visit. It is do short sighted
OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread