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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That the hospital appointment I have been waiting for since January, set for end of November has now been cancelled and is now

59 replies

Maggiesgirl · 20/09/2022 10:32

AUGUST 2023!

I've phoned to try and get it changed to be told its not possible.

So that will be 20 months since my Dr decided I needed to see a Neurologist before I actually will see one

OP posts:
Creepymanonagoatfarm · 20/09/2022 10:33

Ds 13 got his urologist appointment for a year after GP requested one. They made me feel so bloody grateful it is October now not the end of January!

crazyBadger · 20/09/2022 10:41

Same for me... GP referred Feb, had scan in may. Follow up with consultant due June then November...both cancelled been told I cannot book another appointment as they don't have any went back to go who said the same...

Just hoping that my scan didn't show anything bad as no one has said anything...

Original poster
Maggiesgirl · 20/09/2022 10:59

Bloody ridiculous. This I'll be my first appointment. It could be anything. I could be bloody dead by then.

OP posts:
Gymrabbit · 20/09/2022 11:03

Write to your MP or see if you can get a referral to another hospital.

Original poster
Maggiesgirl · 20/09/2022 11:12

Unfortunately it's the only hospital in my area. (Rural)

OP posts:
TheCanyon · 20/09/2022 11:17

I've been waiting since April 2021 for an urgent neurological appointment, not heard a peep from them. My GP has chased them up so many times.

Like you, we only have one hospital in our county.

I finally after waiting 15 months signed up to Benenden health, pretty sure the 6 month wait will be well before the NHS appointment and hopefully not before I lose all ability to walk.

GettingStuffed · 20/09/2022 11:18

DH is due to have a heart op in October, it's been postponed since April. If he doesn't get it he could have another heart attack which could be fatal.

missbipolar · 20/09/2022 11:19

I'm still waiting for my "urgent" neuro appointment after 2.5 years, I've had 5 brain surgeries in that time and been told the wait will be at least another 6 months

Porcupineintherough · 20/09/2022 12:41

Maggiesgirl · 20/09/2022 11:12

Unfortunately it's the only hospital in my area. (Rural)

If you genuinely fear you may be dead by August then worth a bit of travel, no?

TigerRag · 20/09/2022 12:46

I was due a chest clinic appointment last year. Cancelled in July and then again a few weeks later and got seen in September last year. Waiting again (November it says) to be seen again. I won't be that surprised if they cancel again.

I have been referred to neurology and my GP thinks I'll be seen in a few months. I'm still waiting for a few unrelated referrals from February.

Mamamia7962 · 20/09/2022 12:49

I think it must depend on the area, I am in the South East. My husband went to the Doctor a month ago as he had severe pain in his back and thigh. Was referred for an X ray and was seen in 3 days. Then had blood tests was referred for MRI and has now been referred to urology and has an appointment later this week. I can't fault the NHS for how quickly his appointments have come through, but they were all referred under the 2 weeks wait.

Mamamia7962 · 20/09/2022 12:54

crazybadger - Normally scan results are through within 2 weeks. Have they notified your Dr what the results were? Normally patients are given a copy of any letters sent from hospital to gp, but at some hospitals you have to request this.

Cheeseandwines · 20/09/2022 12:57

Could you pay to have initial consultation privately ? You could have this next week and if anything very urgent was needed from this, NHS would sort out, if not urgent then you can decide if worth paying more for follow up?

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/09/2022 13:06

Absolute disgrace!

My long awaited appointment (different speciality) finally came up a few days ago. It was online and the technology didn't work. I phoned the number I was given for such circumstances and nobody listened ti my messages!!!! So the appointment was wasted! I now have an appointment with a nurse instead of the consultant.

MrsMoastyToasty · 20/09/2022 13:14

I needed a brain scan way back in 2014. Even then the wait times were 4 months. I went private and had it done within a week (DH has private health care for the family through work ).

Carriemac · 20/09/2022 14:38

Would it be with saying you're happy to travel to a different hospital ? Sometimes the DGH smaller ones only have a neurologist clinic once a month

BarkylLoner · 20/09/2022 14:44

Cheeseandwines · 20/09/2022 12:57

Could you pay to have initial consultation privately ? You could have this next week and if anything very urgent was needed from this, NHS would sort out, if not urgent then you can decide if worth paying more for follow up?

The problem is the neurologist will likely want investigations done in order to be able to give the patient any more info. It's not just the cost of seeing the Dr.
MRI scans etc are very expensive

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 20/09/2022 14:50

I had a phone call with my gastro consultant last week. Three years after my urgent referral was made.

ThisisCollie2022 · 20/09/2022 14:52

Are you in the SW @Maggiesgirl

Mine neurologist appointment is 41 weeks late! I'm sure it'll get cancelled again

passport123 · 20/09/2022 14:53

Maggiesgirl · 20/09/2022 11:12

Unfortunately it's the only hospital in my area. (Rural)

It's shit. I would find out the waiting times for every hospital within a few hundred miles of you and ask for a referral elsewhere. Just go down the night before the appt. You can keep the original appt as a backup.

ThisisCollie2022 · 20/09/2022 14:55

Apparently my neurologist is travelling 250 miles down to see me for my appointment but I expect it'll get cancelled again.

Tried going private but my NHS gp won't write the referral letter required and the private neurologist won't see me without one.

I have MS x

ThisisCollie2022 · 20/09/2022 14:55

Is it Treliske @Maggiesgirl ?? X

MaryTruss · 20/09/2022 14:56

My long awaited appointment at a hospital 3 hours away was last Tuesday, except it wasn't as they'd rescheduled all the appointments due to a clinic merge

So a 6 hr round trip for nothing- I've only been waiting 34 months so what's another one? (I did call prior and was assured it was going ahead)

Add also a 21 month wait for gynae, 18 month for endocrinology and 9 months for physio.

gogohmm · 20/09/2022 14:58

It's definitely worth saying you are willing to travel. Appointments are coming through at around 16 weeks for most not urgent specialties here - a few are longer but they are genuinely not that urgent

greenbirdsong · 20/09/2022 14:59

It's terrible isn't it.

I'm in a similar boat, had scan Dec 2021 referred to gynaecology - appointment was July 2022 (so 7 month wait) but it was cancelled and now I'm waiting until March 2023!