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

[Polnm]

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?

I cannot praise my NHS trust enough.

SEN DS15 was due to have an op in May which of course was cancelled.

As soon as GA's were being administered he was given an appointment within a week for pre op/covid test then 3 days later had his op which took almost 4 hours.

That was 3 weeks ago and I cannot Thank them enough for their care, kindness and treatment of us as a whole family.

We couldn't have had better treatment if had we paid privately.

@Valleydad99 I have literally just last week had an urgent urology appointment - they’re not shut everywhere. Keep pushing.

The variation by postcode is astounding.

Our GP does phone consultations anyway as normal practice, you ring up and give your details then the doctor calls you back. If it can be resolved over the phone then it is and if they need to see you then you get a same day appointment. That's for everything from routine follow ups to bloods to urgent appointments. During lockdown I've been seen and treated for tonsillitis, DD has had her preschool boosters, DH has had his asthma review, and we have both been invited for flu vaccines for the last week of September.

For hospitals, both DS's have had OT appointments over video chat and youngest DS has had CYPS sessions. I had a pre-op appointment, bloods appointment, swab appointment last week and then had gallbladder surgery on Monday.

If some Trusts can do it, why can't they all?

Hundreds of thousands of people will die because of the extreme and unnecessary shutdowns because of covid-19.

I actually feel sorry for the NHS they can’t do right for doing wrong they are trying to keep as many people as they can safe from the virus by doing phone consultations instead of face to face and now everyone is complaining about that but they would also be complaining if they ended up with the virus because they had a face to face appointment and died alone in a hospital room. I know which I would rather do. If you don’t want the phone consultation then tell them and free it up for someone who will be grateful for whatever care they get during all this. At the end of the day the NHS also have to follow the government guild lines so their hands are tied when it comes to appointments. Instead of sitting on MN blaming the NHS for what is going on with appointments try directing your anger to the government who made the decisions about how appointments where going to work.

FWIW, I didn't feel at all unsafe in the hospital from covid. I had to isolate two weeks beforehand and had a covid swab 48hrs before. On the day I had my own room, was temperature checked, all the staff are regularly temperature checked too. All wearing masks. The nurse told me that they have daily covid swabs (ouch!) and they're working in a bubble so that ward is the only ward they work on. Theatre times were staggered so I was the only patient in any of the theatres and then the only patient in recovery (while the next patient was in theatre), and transfers back to the ward were staggered too so that we didn't pass other patients in the corridors. I have to shield now for two weeks, partly in case I have caught it in the hospital so that I don't spread it around but also because I don't want to catch it while recovery from surgery.

So sorry to all those who have had such awful experiences. For once I really hope someone in the press picks up on this thread.

Nowhere on a par with some of the horrendous stories on here, but my DH was finally diagnosed with a rare condition during lockdown (by telephone appointment). It has taken us about 2 years of worry to get to this point. He has been referred to a specialist who we hope might be able to tell us more on how things might progress. It's potentially life limiting, potentially life shortening, and possibly hereditary which is obviously a worry.

Except, due to Covid, the specialist is not seeing patients face to face and therefore won't be able to see him for the 'foreseeable future'. I have no doubt that everyone is trying their best, as his old consultant did at least call him to give him the diagnosis. But further promised appointments with his previous consultant haven't materialised, nor has the blood test that he needs despite many calls.

The delay won't kill him, but is affecting his mental health and quality of life. I can't bear to think of how many lives are being affected in this way. I am getting a bit tired of putting up with it to be honest. It's not ok that people are suffering and dying needlessly whilst the pubs are open, it's just not.

@FluffyKittensinabasket

Out of interest, how are we going to be vaccinated for Covid if GPs and nurses aren’t seeing patients face to face?

I suspect it will be army medics in car parks, like the way they're doing the drive through test centres.

Backed up maybe with pharmacies doing them too, like the way they do them for flu at the moment.

Given how GP surgeries are STILL hiding behind closed doors, when nearly everything else is getting back to normal, I think we can safely forget about them for flu and Covid jabs.

Of course, that is, until it's announced that GPs will get paid "per jab" and then you can bet your life, they'll suddenly find the staff and open their doors again sharpish. Most are only in it for the money. Same with normal flu jabs - when they got more money, they'd put on special sessions for people to queue for flu jabs, (evenings, Saturday mornings etc). When the extra money stopped, they stopped doing it and just did the jabs during normal appointments instead. Pretty mercenary really.

Oh and for those who say we should be angry with the government and not the NHS. I for one am (very angry!).

It’s not about people not wanting telephone appointments but sometimes they just aren’t a suitable alternative. I hope the use of attends anywhere and similar carries on long term but that doesn’t change the fact that a lot of health care needs to be done face to face and now that we are in a position where thankfully the NHS is coping with the covid cases, and hospitals have procedures in place then face to face appointments and tests need to be picked up again.

Ds is at risk long term of needing corrective surgery on his legs now because we can’t get a fitting for the insoles he needs. He also wears a Lycra suit which needs remeasuring every 3-6 months. It can’t be measured so he can’t wear it.

For us the list of minor but important things is extensive. For others the list could be life threatening things.

I love the NHS and I am very grateful for all they have done for DS. However we are at a point now where he and many are being let down by the systems as they are and as a result the burden on the NHS long term is going to be even bigger to correct what has gone wrong.

@LunaMuffinTop

they ended up with the virus because they had a face to face appointment and died alone in a hospital room.

Very dramatic, they could wear proper PPE as the patient wear a mask etc where possible.

I feel massively let down by the NHS. Just come out of hospital after emergency admission. Tried to speak to my GP re new meds aetc. When I finally got through asked for a GP phone call (ovarian canceer terminal) Oh nothing for 2 weeks Im afraid, and surgery is closed at lunchtime today ! 2 out of the 3 Docs are sheilding, though that had ended in this part of the country. Phoned solicitors who are dealing with my end of life affairs plan etc. Solicitior who promised to visit me in Hospice etc no longer works there and they dont offer that service. Im not really in their area ( oh but I was when I was setting up this plan that the practice will be charging me thousands for )
All the safety net I set up for myself, because I have no relatives, has just got massive holes in it. Half of their staff are also shielding !
I have felt at at the summit of a huge volcano of rage today

I actually feel sorry for the NHS they can’t do right for doing wrong

What a ludicrous statement. In the rest of the developed world, medical tests, cancer treatment, face to face doctor appointments went ahead right through the Covid crisis. I sometimes think that the reason Brits put up with a third rate medical service is because most people have absolutely zero experience of what a functioning health care system looks like. The UK has some of the worst cancer survival rates in the developed world. You know why? Because in the rest of the developed world, people can make a next day appointment to see a specialist, have an ultrasound, an MRI, a CT scan within a week. The NHS shut up shop in March and Professor Sikora describes a looming disaster for cancer patients. I don't feel remotely sorry for the NHS or its legions of managers. I feel very sorry for its patients who think any of this is in anyway acceptable. Or normal. It is neither.

My examples are not so serious as others on here and I'm so sorry to those who have really suffered.

My 11 year old daughter has scoliosis and was due to have surgery before the pandemic broke out.

Her surgery has been postponed indefinitely and the curve in her spine is visibly progressing. She is in constant pain and struggling to walk.

This is also affecting her mental health due to the constant pain, the negative feelings she has about her visibly twisted spine and the fear of surgery and the not knowing when it will happen.

I'm pregnant and my baby is due in November. If the operation is put off for too long I'm going to be unable to properly care for her after her surgery as she will be completely immobile for a while and I'm struggling even now with lifting.

I'm supposed to be having consultant led care as my pregnancy is high risk. I haven't seen a consultant once, or even had a phone conversation with one.

I'm also supposed to be seen by a perinatal mental health midwife. I've not even spoken to one. Luckily my mental health is manageable right now, but I have been hospitalised in the past due to it.

Lastly, I had an infected tooth which was wobbling. I knew it needed to be pulled out but all I could get were phone appointments in which I would be prescribed antibiotics (which did nothing). I was in severe pain for over 3 weeks and unable to eat or drink properly. The dentist knew I was pregnant.

I got to the point where I had to ring the dentist and beg for them to see me. I was in unbearable pain.

They finally agreed to see me and when the dentist saw my tooth she said it was so badly infected and antibiotics would have stood no chance in clearing up the infection.

What makes me angry is the press likes to give headlines about how covid will kill us all but not to issues like those described on here.

Are we as a society really willing to give up basic standard of health and dental care? Does anything but covid matter anymore?

It's telling that some people think that others have to live with conditions that make their quality of life substandard and be grateful about it at the same time. That makes me angry

I think this is area dependent....

My mum found a lump in June. Was all seen straight away in line with the 2 week guidelines and thankfully been given all clear. Our only stress was she had to face all these appointments alone (she's had cancer twice before. She knew what to expect)

(Different area) and my baby has had all necessary appointments that can't be done over phone face2face and had plenty of phone and video calls. She had her heart scan on schedule yesterday.

I don't think it's been the same nationwide

@LunaMuffinTop

I actually feel sorry for the NHS they can’t do right for doing wrong they are trying to keep as many people as they can safe from the virus by doing phone consultations instead of face to face and now everyone is complaining about that but they would also be complaining if they ended up with the virus because they had a face to face appointment and died alone in a hospital room. I know which I would rather do. If you don’t want the phone consultation then tell them and free it up for someone who will be grateful for whatever care they get during all this. At the end of the day the NHS also have to follow the government guild lines so their hands are tied when it comes to appointments. Instead of sitting on MN blaming the NHS for what is going on with appointments try directing your anger to the government who made the decisions about how appointments where going to work.

Well people on this thread are frightened, but of something they actually have now that in all probability will kill them if this shit show isn't sorted.

For me, I'm not at all concerned if I die, it would be a relief from the constant pain and the infections I'm getting. It's just not too nice for my wife and children.

It fast needs to be realised that there are conditions that are far more important than covid fucking 19. But no, there are a section of the population that will never see that.

This whole situation just makes me so angry. You say complain to the government, I would love to, but in person. I'm not a violent person, far from it, I hate violence, but I have never more wanted to have Hancock and Johnson in front of me so I can give them a bloody good kicking. This is all a jolly jape to them.

I have very mild MS and have been surprised to have been asked to hospital for an MRI and blood tests when these other, far more serious, issues are being ignored. It's madness.

@LunaMuffinTop people on this thread have talked, heart-breakingly, of their loved ones dying due to discontuation of care. They have shared fears of possibly dying themselves, and the pain and frustration of having long-term medical conditions worsening.

And you accuse them of complaining as if that's an over-reaction?!

My DH was badly let down by NHS. Unable to get face to face appointment with his GP, turned away from A&E without being examined as they were only dealing with Covid patients, unable to have urgent scans, blood tests etc. Denied access to his children and me when he was finally admitted to hospital.
He died alone and terrified. I will never forgive the system.

It’s not about people not wanting telephone appointments but sometimes they just aren’t a suitable alternative.

Of course that's true, but likewise lots of face to face appointments aren't needed either. Just because the NHS "has always done it that way" doesn't mean they shouldn't be open to change!

What is needed is the CHOICE, something the NHS is very poor at providing.

Before Covid, I asked for phone consultations many times for different reasons, but usually same answer "no". Just what is the point of taking a day off work, driving for miles, paying for parking, to sit in a waiting room for an hour or two, to finally see the consultant just for him to say "you're scan was fine, nothing to worry about" and be in and out within a couple of minutes? Why the sodding hell can't he (or one of his team, receptionist etc) just phone (or even write) to say that! It's completely nonsensical.

Same with GP appts. Fair enough if it's something physical that needs to be looked at, felt or whatever., but so many appts are just discussions, test results, medication reviews, etc., that could just as easily be done by phone. Pre Covid, our surgery offered phone appts but the wait was just as long as for face to face appts. I strongly believe a lot of it was deliberately delaying appts to put off time wasters etc. It's really strange that now you can get a phone call back within the hour - they've got fewer staff working but can give a better service? Something doesn't add up.

I hope that once Covid is over, the NHS as a whole will keep some of the new ideas that have proven to work, such as phone appts, ALONGSIDE face to face appts when required. I.e. a broader choice of options to suit more people, patients and staff alike.

I actually feel sorry for the NHS they can’t do right for doing wrong

How did GPs who choose to close their surgery and divert calls to 111 think they were "doing right" for their patients. How can suspending everything be right for their patients.

No, they did that because it was right for them and their staff - they just passed on their patients to be dealt with by 111 and A&E.