. . . to think this letter from the NHS is depressing, upsetting, frustrating . . .

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Had a routine eye test at a high street optician and the retina scan (which I paid extra for on a "why not?" basis) showed that the layers of my macula are separating, with what could be fluid - possible macular oedema. The optician gave me a letter for my GP asking for an urgent referral to the eye hospital as this needs investigating. The GP made the referral, and I got this letter (pic) back. It's been a month and still nothing - the optician said she would really want me to be seen within a couple of weeks.

It just makes me incredibly sad and depressed. This is an urgent referral, but it isn't life-threatening (assuming it's just fluid) but it frightens me to think of all the people that aren't receiving treatment for what could be serious issues, made worse by urgent referrals no longer being treated as such, and we're still blaming covid.

I feel a bit overwhelmed by how bad things have become.

I’ve been on the waiting list for a surgery for over 2 years now. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve needed treating in a&e in that time. I have also been admitted for infections. Over the last few months the symptoms have changed a lot, and I wonder what is happening in there and if it will need converting to open surgery when they eventually do it.

But there’s no one to ask, so I just keep waiting.

Yeah it’s shocking, it must be terrifying to think there’s nothing you can do. Could you go private?

it’s also not funny at all but also vaguely amusing that they’ve written there that they can provide the letter in braille. Let’s hope that’s not needed yet eh?!

OP I know you asked for your comments on the letter, but I do think in your situation you should go back to your GP and chase. I would also be interested to see if your gp advises to go back to the optician to check and see if there is any further deterioration.

While the nhs is under pressure, this is a generic letter to try and stop people ringing. The reality is though it probably has limited effect. Those people who would have rung will continue to do so. People like yourself won’t and arguably may need to chase.

Beside the point, but the grammar is shit too.

Yes it’s pretty atrocious. Sadly the NHS is not fit for purpose. Of course there will be people that get good care, were saved etc etc. But the vast majority are not getting this. And it’s also almost a cultural religion. Very frustrating.

That's what it's like now sadly. I was sent under an urgent referral for something else under the 2 ww. Took 3 months before I was seen and then I had to chase it up.

I have shadows in my womb, was supposed to have hysterectomy July 2020 and my appointment keeps getting cancelled. As I’m getting sicker and sicker, I feel for my children.
I have fought, complained and turned up at clinics refusing to move until they sort it to no avail.

I have now made my
peace with the situation, although my children are unaware maybe they should be, I truly hope you get answers♥️

@HanarCantWearSweaters that's awful. And yes, it's people in exactly your situation I was thinking of - are things potentially getting worse in relation to your condition because of the delays? - and the fact that it's so faceless and there's nothing you/we can do.

@Pyri that raised a wry smile with me too!

@LillyDeValley I did wonder if I should try to be a bit pushier. The optician said that this is urgent, it needs investigating right now. I'm a bit worried I'm just going to get lost in a sea of people and whoever shouts the loudest gets seen.

I just can't believe it's so bad now. And there's very little we - normal people - can do about it other than use our votes.

My dm was referred to dental hospital, she got a text saying the waiting time was 44 weeks and not to contact them prior to that.
She's not an urgent case but it's not great waiting that long.

it is depressing how hard it is to get stuff seen to that is important, but not critical. I’ve had a frozen shoulder for over two years which has healed somewhat, but not completely. I asked to be referred to a physio, but was sent a letter with a huge amount of info on self-managing pain with website links and book suggestions and told I would be unlikely to get an appointment any time soon.
i was surprised to have a physio app arrive about 2 months later, but it was promptly cancelled 2 days after it arrived. It’s very frustrating.

It's shocking and completely unacceptable.

My stepdad recently went for a hearing test and was told they could see some sort of mass. As a former cancer patient he was really worried but the long and short of it was he was told the ENT department would not see him because they were "currently dealing with referrals from 2020"

He ended up paying to go private and luckily is fine. But what if this had not been the case, on both counts? Do people just have to die?

Go and see your GP again and ask them to escalate. If they refuse ask them.to note in your records that you have raised a concern about the impact on your sight, the optician said you needed to be seen in two weeks and urgently.

And write to your MP seeking help.

It’s terrible. I’ve been struggling to walk for 4 years. I did actually manage to have one ankle surgery just over a year ago after waiting for two years. But it was unsuccessful. Still waiting to find out what happens next. I suspect I need another operation and would not be surprised if it’s 2 years or more. That’ll be 6 years of my life limping about, in pain. I feel I’ve wasted a huge chunk of my life.

hope you get seen soon.

Vive la revolution!

I think that letter's absolutely appalling. I know they are stretched but to tell you not to contact them without giving ANY idea of timescales is unacceptable. I've had a situation where I've missed a hospital appointment (and been discharged!) because I didn't receive an appointment letter so I know always call if I don't get a response within a month or so, to ask for their approximate waiting list so I know when to start chasing. To tell people not to call is not the answer. They are also putting off people informing them of worsening health which may up their priority.

I’m not surprised.. I’m waiting on a surgery that would be life changing as opposed to life saving, and the NHS wait is 1-2 years. It’s thoroughly depressing when you’re in constant pain to be told that the operation which would potentially improve your quality of life massively is low priority.

I doubt there’s a great demand for Ophthalmologists in Critical Care, since most of the patients have their eyes closed.

Hopefully you’ll hear something soon, and it’s just a generic letter being sent to absolutely every patient who has been referred by their GP, regardless of speciality.

Do you have an eye casualty in your area you could go to?

Yes, incorrect use of ‘it’s’.

DS's urgent ophthalmology referral took 4 months from referral to appointment.
The 2 follow up ones have been cancelled, along with the investigative tests.
Thankfully it seems to be nothing concerning, and a "keep an eye on it" situation.

Do they really send a typed letter asking if you need a braille version?!

I went privately for eye issues ( unknown stress as it turned out) very glad I did, knowing nhs was at least 16 week wait.
it confirmed no issues, and chose a specialist opticians.
can you afford to do this, I would if you can

This doesn’t sound right - they ought to be seeing you super quickly for this. My dad had it and they normally move v quickly. Can you see your GP and ask for them to chase the referral - my GP recently did this for me for something that had obviously not been correctly prioritised, and an appointment came through within a couple of days. They don’t always get the priority right.

That looks like a generic letter sent out during covid times. I would be getting in touch with your GP and asking if they are aware of the wait times given your optician ( optometrist ? ) says you should be seen quickly, ask them what happens if your sight deteriorates in the mean time , what else you should be looking out for symptom wise, if your GP surgery offers an e-consult I would be tempted to use that as at least you will have a record. Also ask the optician you saw the same thing, by email if possible. You need to be able to react quickly to symptoms and be aware of what they might be.

As an optometrist I’d definitely recommend ringing your optometrist and explaining the situation. They’ll likely see you again and monitor/ expedite your referral if required.

It's very frustrating and worrying aswell because in the meantime your just left sitting wondering & worrying. I got a referral for an endoscope in November 2019 which was upgraded to urgent in march 2020 - I got ny appointment April 2022! I very much doubt it will take that long for you but yeah the NhS is not fit for purpose. I hope you hear from them soon.