Sorry, long one! In June I had a procedure to remove a stone that was stuck in my bile duct. After the procedure the consultant said they had found what looked like damage to the ducts in my liver which would suggest that I have an autoimmune liver disease (basically where your body attacks the ducts in the liver eventually leading to liver failure, not nice). He said I needed a special mri called an mrcp to look at the ducts more closely and would book me in for one and it would be about 4 weeks. I was given a copy of the report which said he had booked an mrcp.
After 6 weeks (of worry) I hadn't heard anything, no letter or date so I contacted the hospital. Took me almost 2 weeks to get a response and was eventually told the mrcp hadn't been booked. The next morning, to my surprise and happiness, the consultant who did the procedure called me to apologise. He said he had failed to book the scan and he would book it immediately and it would be 4 weeks. After 6 weeks I had heard nothing and I started the long process of getting a response from the hospital, where once again I was told the scan STILL hadn't been booked. Honestly couldnt believe it especially after the consultant had called me. The secretary who I spoke to was very blunt, didn't apologise, just told me once again that the scan was booked. Another 6 weeks have gone by and still no date. The hospital have said it definitely has been booked but they are just waiting for a date. I am beyond frustrated and angry. Its been 4 months and I feel totally forgotten about and have this hanging over my head. I do think I will now get a date but when who knows.
I know hospitals are overstretched and I would feel bad making an official complaint and causing more work but I also think they need to look into their processes because something has gone seriously wrong. If it were one of my parents they would still be waiting for this scan in x years time, they wouldn't think to contact the hospital. If I wasn't chasing this scan it would be totally missed Another worry for me is that if I do have this condition then it's this team who I will be under the care of. Would a complaint cause bad feeling,? But on the other hand my experience has been so bad I think I'd be concerned about how good the care would be anyway if this experience Is anything to go by. If I have this condition I should be under a liver specialist having drugs to delay progression. Instead I'm just left for it to progress undiagnosed. I'm scared to even take paracetamol in case I'm causing damage. Frustrated is an understatement. Would you complain?