Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Just so mad - hosp/nhs

57 replies

QuicklyNowThen · 02/12/2021 12:39

I'm just so so angry at the system.
I've been waiting for treatment for non stop continuous bleeding/periods for the last 3 years. I'm on iron treatment but my iron levels so low and have fainted a few times because of it.
I've have numerous polyps that need removing a short straightforward procedure that means I can have coil and stop the bleeding. And have it confirmed that it's not cancerous as so far the biospys havw been inconclusive.
Tomo was finally the day after several cancellations they would finally be removing them all. Until an hour ago I got letter it's been cancelled again to end of feb.
I can't cope with this pain and constant leaking it's damaging my life on a daily basis.
My sis and brother in law are consultants for the NHS and won't have a word said against it - more money needed and 'fuck the tories' is all I hear but both working extra shifts for private hospitals or extra clinics for more ££ on a Sunday. My sister has recently gone private when she wanted for a lump she found.
I can't afford to go private I want my appointment that I've waited patiently for. I'm a government employee working in safeguarding I've had to work extra hours during covid (not for extra pay) so I get that things can have to adapt but this feel a kick in the teeth.

OP posts:

Confusedandworried321 · 02/12/2021 12:41

Don't blame you. NHS is dire.

Original poster

QuicklyNowThen · 02/12/2021 12:47

Thank you

OP posts:

anon12345anon · 02/12/2021 12:50

Fucking shambles..... I don't blame the staff, but the NHS is on it's knees.
for you

FoxIvy · 02/12/2021 12:53

What a horrible situation for you OP. No advice or whatever but you have my sympathies

2typesofjungle · 02/12/2021 12:56

I know you say you can't afford to go private but have you actually priced it?
I took out a loan last year to pay for major surgery that I would still be waiting for through the NHS without the surgery I would not be able to walk anymore.

Maiyakat · 02/12/2021 13:20

That's rubbish, I'm sorry you're going through this. Have you contacted PALS? Sometimes being the one who shouts the loudest gets you seen.... (Not that it should be like that)

pigsDOfly · 02/12/2021 13:32

My exh lives in a reasonably prosperous part of London.

Over the last year or so he's had treatment for a problem with his eye - monthly injections - and several operations for various ongoing problems with his bladder.

He was admitted for an operation recently but they found an infection so his operation was cancelled because they had to wait until that was dealt with but within a matter of a few weeks later he was called for the operation again and it went ahead as planned.

On the other hand I know of a woman who waited 5 weeks for her GP to finally give her a face to face appointment - not in London.

There seems to be massive inconsistencies within the NHS depending on where you live and who is treating you.

MaskingForIt · 02/12/2021 13:34

both working extra shifts for private hospitals or extra clinics for more ££ on a Sunday. My sister has recently gone private when she wanted for a lump she found

Maybe you should take a leaf out of their book and get a second job so that you can pay for private treatment?

FooFighter99 · 02/12/2021 13:40

If your sister and her husband are both consultants, can't they pull some stings for you? Even if they don't work at the Trust where you'll be receiving treatment, professional courtesy means they can contact your Dr and expedite things

You shouldn't have to resort to string pulling, but sometimes needs must!

Don't just sit and fume OP, make some noise and kick up a fuss

thepeopleversuswork · 02/12/2021 13:42

Awful. I'm so sorry.

I can totally understand your fury. I'm incredibly lucky in that I don't need anything urgent from the NHS right now but its just the thought that if you do something you know they won't be able to deliver.

My local GP's surgery is literally unbookable at the moment. It's just possible to get seen so I don't even try. If I had anything badly wrong with me or my DD I would have to go private.

I have enormous respect and sympathy for NHS professionals and I absolutely support its existence but its really time to sort this shit out. We can't go on like this.

endofthelinefinally · 02/12/2021 13:43

Yes, the nhs is collapsing. Are you saying that nhs staff should work weekends for free? Nhs hours and salaries are capped. Nobody can do private work in their contracted hours, nether can they do paid overtime without specific agreement with their employer. Everyone has the right to do a second or 3rd job if they want.

EmpressCixi · 02/12/2021 13:43

I second contacting PALS I had been told a treatment would be in 6-12mos due to a waiting list. On month 11 of waiting, I asked for update as to where I was on wait list and was told, I had moved lower on the wait list and it would be a further 18mos minimum?! I was absolutely shocked. I felt my consultant wasn’t sticking up for the seriousness of my condition properly as the only way to move down a wait list instead of up is to be pushed down by people going ahead of me. Fair if some went ahead if their condition more serious, but going from 6-12mos wait to 29mos was more than seemed possible.

I contacted PALs and requested to be assigned a different consultant in same department of hospital because of moving down a wait list instead of up with no explanation or justification as to why. They did so immediately, the new consultant saw my records and case two weeks later, and I was sent a letter with a treatment date two months away. Which was not cancelled.

Sometimes you can sense you are falling through the cracks in the system and have to lodge a complaint so someone can correct things beforehand you become a tragic inquest and end up on BBC as a victim of poor hospital procedures.

Goldi321 · 02/12/2021 13:43

Consultants can’t just “pull some strings”, especially when in another Trust!

Mantlemoose · 02/12/2021 13:44

I agree with most of your post except that you feel as a government employee you should be treated better. I work for a private company and worked 16 hour days 6 days a week overtime unpaid to try to keep our company from going bust during last nearly 2 years

PinkiOcelot · 02/12/2021 13:45

So your sister and her husband are hypocrites then?!

I don’t blame you OP. That’s so annoying.

Dyerun · 02/12/2021 13:46

I agree with pp, the problem is it's all area dependent. I work in a medium sized hospital in the east of England, and what you've described just wouldn't happen in my department, especially as you need biopsies to rule out cancer.

Go to pals, and also if you're able to take a short notice cancellation let the department know.

BarbaraLoganPrice · 02/12/2021 13:46

@MaskingForIt

both working extra shifts for private hospitals or extra clinics for more ££ on a Sunday. My sister has recently gone private when she wanted for a lump she found

Maybe you should take a leaf out of their book and get a second job so that you can pay for private treatment?

Or sell all her possessions/house/kidneys? Come on OP you're just not trying hard enough.

Oblomov21 · 02/12/2021 13:48

Can you phone? The appointments line, semi complain, get it rearranged sooner?

Also ask GP to chase again ie complain?

Happy1982ish · 02/12/2021 13:48

Personally i have had superb treatment on the NhS recently and historically

Can you ask your siblings to help with cost of private?

EmpressCixi · 02/12/2021 13:48

@Mantlemoose

I thought OP mentioned civil service as a reason why she can’t afford private healthcare? Civil service doesn’t offer private health insurance like comparable private sector employers do for similar type jobs. It is also not well paid because you are trading a lower salary for better pension benefit.

Original poster

QuicklyNowThen · 02/12/2021 13:54

I don't think I am suggesting nhs workers doing extra shifts don't get paid but more that a lot of public sector workers myself included have been doing so.
Really struggling today so for those of you not bashing me thank you 👍

OP posts:

ImperfectAlf · 02/12/2021 13:57

I hear you, OP. It's shit.

I was told at an appointment today that I need and MRI. It could be 8 weeks. Or longer. When will I know the appointment time? They are not allowed to tell me! Its infuriating.
I have a broken wrist which isn't knitting and they can't even tell me when to expect the appointment letter!

I've worked in the NHS ( nurse and then management) all my working life, and two months after breaking my wrist, I m still fucked.

Original poster

QuicklyNowThen · 02/12/2021 13:58

Main point is the NHS isnt working not a criticism its a statement. I'm not saying privatisation as in the US model but other European countries are operating much more efficiently and effectively - the health disparities in this country are appalling and getting worse. The ones that are suffering the most are the ones that can't afford to go private and again the poorest in society are punished its so bloody unfair.

OP posts:

endofthelinefinally · 02/12/2021 14:02

You seemed to be so angry that your sister and BIL had second jobs, even though that has nothing to do with the waiting lists in the nhs.
IMO we should move to the French system.

CorrBlimeyGG · 02/12/2021 14:04

Surely you agree with your relatives? The NHS - and ever increasing health inequalities - are in no small part the fault of the government. It could be argued that running it into the ground are part of the plan.

You're not unreasonable to be mad and upset that your appointment has been cancelled.
You are unreasonable to be mad at your relatives working in/ using private healthcare to look after themselves.

Flip

1 2 3