Appointment wait times for 4yo

7 replies

PurpleSnake99 · 02/05/2023 14:20

I'm waiting for my son to be seen by ENT for obstructive sleep apnoea. He has night terrors every night, his breathing stops regularly throughout the night followed by a huge gasp and restlessness, he is struggling at nursery and is grumpy and angry all the time, as well as having on and off earaches. His GP saw us and recommended we sleep in the same bed, and that he is seen asap as he has a small throat and very large tonsils. I tried to book an appointment on 15th April through the online booking system for the hospital, but no appointments available. Sent them a message to contact me to arrange the appointment but haven't heard. I can't really work out whether it is urgent or not or if I should chase. No guidance re how serious it is or whether we might be waiting months. GP said she wants him to be seen soon but also that it can take a while but I have no idea what 'a while' means.

Can anyone advise on whether I should be chasing? Or whether it's not that serious and I should relax a bit?

To note, we are both emotional and exhausted so it's all a bit difficult at the moment.

OP posts:

nats2010 · 02/05/2023 14:23

Are you in a position to pay privately if your GP will give you a referral letter?

Original poster

PurpleSnake99 · 02/05/2023 14:25

nats2010 · 02/05/2023 14:23

Are you in a position to pay privately if your GP will give you a referral letter?

Unfortunately not. I might be worrying about nothing it's just the conflicting 'would like him to be seen asap due to having large tonsils and also small throat' (apparently one on its own is less serious but both is more complicated), compared with 'could take a while' has made me a bit anxious.

OP posts:

Ellemeg82 · 02/05/2023 14:30

My 5yo's hearing has been declining over the last year, we had a hearing test and theft confirmed low levels and glue ear. Have been referred to ENT but was told 6-9 month wait in my area (south east England).
His hearing is so bad now he can barely hear at all and it's affecting his school work :(

Original poster

PurpleSnake99 · 02/05/2023 14:33

Ellemeg82 · 02/05/2023 14:30

I'm East of England. My hopes of having the ball rolling before he goes to school is slowly declining.

OP posts:

Pinkflipflop85 · 02/05/2023 14:34

I posted on your other thread. Waiting lists can be really long.

My son had obstructive sleep apnoea. We waited nearly 2 years for them to take his tonsils and adenoids out - and this was before covid affected the waiting list times!

Dd is suffering similarly but the waiting lists are now even longer (with constant cancellations) and they are extremely reluctant to do anything surgical.

Original poster

PurpleSnake99 · 02/05/2023 14:35

Pinkflipflop85 · 02/05/2023 14:34

I posted on your other thread. Waiting lists can be really long.

My son had obstructive sleep apnoea. We waited nearly 2 years for them to take his tonsils and adenoids out - and this was before covid affected the waiting list times!

Dd is suffering similarly but the waiting lists are now even longer (with constant cancellations) and they are extremely reluctant to do anything surgical.

The GP said she'd be surprised if he didn't need surgery or cpap based on her experience, but I wonder whether they should even say things like that without him having been assessed by a specialist.

OP posts:

Pinkflipflop85 · 02/05/2023 14:39

DD was referred by the paediatrician and the speech therapist. She can't swallow certain foods because her tonsils touch in the middle.

ENT saw her around 15 months ago and said they would watch and wait before any intervention (despite the food problems and sleep apnoea!).

Flip