. . . 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.

This. I would urgently chase anything to do with eyesight.

Some of these stories are awful. What a dire state our NHS is in.

I'm awaiting a colonoscopy after GP referral at the start of the year. My appointment is scheduled for 2023 and even that is just a telephone consultation.

A lot of the consultants work did the nhs and do private work too as it boosts their income
It's much quicker to go private as not as many people have the option.
My neighbour has a bad hip and is waiting for a replacement she was seen in February 2020 right before COVID hit. The waiting list for non-urgent ops like that is about 2 years but she's in agony so she's paying to go private, saw the consultant last week and is booked in for 3 weeks time but it's costing her about £10,000.00 and alot of people (her included - her son is paying) just can't afford it - it's an awful situation

There may be an issue with prioritization, so getting your GP to chase isn't a bad idea. But regardless of this particular issue, that would be a depressing letter to get for any referral. I don't think it's due to covid, though I'm sure that's accelerated the decline. Things were just like this the last time the Tories were in power long enough to run the NHS into the ground.

@worriedaboutmoney2022 yes but why aren't the private staff coming down with covid at the same rate as the NHS staff, you'd expect similar delays if that was the case.

I’ve had the exact same letter for 2.5yo dd who has a slight turn in her eye when tired. Been waiting since January.

Because private hospitals aren’t treating acutely unwell covid patients? And they pay more money so it’s easier to find replacements for unwell staff. And they can directly pass increased staff costs to patients rather than trying to cover sickness with no extra budget.
and there are delays at private hospitals. They’re just shorter because their standard wait time is shorter. And they can just close their waiting list if they have no capacity or withdraw services which isn’t an option for the NHS
with millions getting covid each week I’m not really sure what people think will happen? There were already insufficient staff and hospital beds before this extra pressure

@RosesAndHellebores

Because the doctors are doing the private lists in their own free time.

My friend does admin for the local private hospital they are all at home and literally only who needs to be in are in there so keeping it down a bit I guess but they do still have cases just not as many and If one private consultant phones in sick there's 3 more happy to step in for the money

All those ophthalmologists must be so tied up with acute respiratory covid cases…🤔

Ophthalmologists didn't see patients for the better part of 18 months because it was high-risk work in terms of patient contact, for conditions that are mostly not life threatening. They're still working through the backlog.

This is what happened to me glaucoma. During lockdown no eye clinic. Saw optician for new glasses he contacted clinic directly appointment within two weeks. He phoned me to make sure things were progressing the same week. He was angry that I hadn't been monitored over lockdowns. I've since had lasering which didn't work so surgery on one eye cataract and visicanal surgery four weeks ago expect other eye done in the next few weeks.

Please contact your opticians.

Yup. I'm into an 18mo wait for talking therapy after I was deemed too high risk for silver cloud online support ... After8mo they wrote to ask if I still wanted their services. I confirmed I did, they didn't acknowledge that and discharged me as 12mo, then reinstated me and I've heard nothing since the autumn.

That said I know I have people on my waiting list who haven't heard from me for 12mo... But i already work 10-12;hours unpaid overtime a week and still can't fit it all in.

This is infuriating as I've had an appointment for something now even remotely urgent, within 3 weeks. Definitely chase up. Can you afford to go private? I know it will likely be the same Ophthalmologist(?) you see but on a Private basis and you absolutely should not have to, but needs must.

I don't know where you are in the UK but can you get to Leeds? There's a fabulous Eye Hospital and you can request to be seen there (unless hats where you're already waiting for, of course). My Mum is often referred back to them after her Cornea Transplants and she's had appointments through fairly quickly recently

The NHS is not for for purpose and it certainly isn't the envy of the World as it's craven worshippers would have you believe.

Delaying treatment results in costing the NHS and the public purse more money in the long run, it's so short sighted.

It seems the NHS is a sacred cow and it's accepted as a bottomless pit of money with never any improvement gained in fact the opposite and no-one held accountable. It needs a complete overhaul but whilst it is hero worshipped and treated as sacred that will never happen.

Other countries with public health care system are appalled at how the UK NHS is run and managed and what they provide for the vast amount of money that pours in, they sure as hell don't find it a system to aspire to.

Exactly the same issue with my Autistic child! Heinz Macaroni Cheese & cheese sandwiches. That's it :(

Im surprised how long its taking as I had something similar happen to myself during a routine eye test, blurred optic disk and uneven pupil sizes. I got told I was being referred to hospital urgently. Didn't even have to involve Gp as I got a message 2 days later with my appointment n was at hospital exactly 7 days later. Everything turned out fine but I was worried how quickly I got the appointment. I would phone your opticians and tell them the situation with your gp referral and ask weather they can refer u themselves as I was? Or go to your local eye hospital a&e . Good luck it's scary being referred so urgently xx

This ... 100%

The eulogising of the NHS is ridiculous .. it's so broken on every level.

I'm. A nurse. Have spent the last few years working in a private hospital. I'm now back in the nhs for various reasons (mostly as its the best place to learn). Anyway Im choosing to keep my private health insurance and I'd advice people to look into private cover. It's a shame but I think it's just the way it is. Private hospitals should never be life saving but they can plug the gap for the life changing procedures. Altho they struggle for staff just like any health care setting!!

I’ve been waiting for a non-urgent referral 2.5 years now due to covid. I’ve just given up expecting to be seen and started debating private options.

And this happened a few months ago not pre covid xx

Eurax Anti Itching Cream! 💜

OP, dont pay for private.
Speak to your GP about expediting the appointment.

Its so depressing to hear of all the stories on here. In my experience you have to badger to get seen. Dont let the GP fob you off by saying to go private.

Not sure where you are OP but my mum has serious eye problems and she had this letter a few times from our local eye hospital way before Covid.

Forgot to say we are SW UK.

It's your eyes. I would view that as serious, and you've already been told it's urgent. May turn out once you've seen a retinal specialist that it's a watch and wait status, but you don't play around/save money on your eyes.