Referral to orthopedic surgeon - How long is normal to wait ?

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

Dd1 was referred at the beginning of august. I chased it up after 6 weeks and was told the wait time was 14 weeks as they had a back log, but were going to put on more clinics.

Rang again today and was told that they basically don't know how long we will have to wait.

The referal is because of possible scoliosis in dd1 (13).

Just keep on phoning them.

Or were you given a choice of which hospital to go too? By that I mean some have bigger departments than others eg: I had to take DS to see a specialist about his willy problem and there was a 3 week wait at the Manchester Childrens Hospital or an 10 week wait at another smaller hospital. The willy problem is sorted FYI.

Ask your GP if there is any possibility of chaging hospitals, I think it's called Choose and Book or something like that, it may just be a case of the busyness of the clinic you need and lack of staff.

But do keep on phoning as I had to chase twice for other DS with a hearing issue and I phone out on the second call that we had somehow droppped off the system. So it's worth keeping on top of them.

Good luck.

Well I was originally told that she would be seen at Birmingham Children's Hospital, but then the referral was made for The Royal Orthopedic instead.

I suppose the Royal Ortho is were she would be best to go to though, and I have looked up the surgeon she has been referred to and he is a specialist in scoliosis, so that's why there is a wait I suppose.

Just would like her seen asap so that we have some idea if she will need treatment or not. I think it has got worse since she was first referred. I could be imagining it though.

who told you they don't know how long the wait is? Did you get hold of the consultant's secretary?

Sadly coalition govt. have abolished waiting time targets (IIRC) so there's no leverage. Just down to who shouts loudest.

It was just the appointments line I rang.

I do have the consultants secretary's number though, although she always seems to be permanently on holiday, that's why I ended up ringing the appointments line the last time.

Will try the secretary on Monday.

Thankfully dd isn't in any pain with it, or if she is she isn't tellling me. It looks very uncomfortable though, and I know dd is worried about what is going to happen. Would just like to be able to put her mind at rest a bit more, or at least have the facts to tell her.

Of course you would. Do keep trying the consultant's secretary although I appreciate how frustrating it must be if they keep saying s/he isn't there.

The hospital should have a PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) who may be able to help if you can't get an answer to your question. Or you could escalate it by complaining to the chief executive - they are being paid shedloads of ruddy money to run the organisation, they need to know how it feels for patients.

Thank's edam, will definitely do that.

Think I will also join the scoliosis uk group incase they have any tips on getting seen.

Nutty - I agree with Edam. She who shouts loudest gets seen first; ring the secretary.

FWIW dd used to be seen at orth at BCH and the clinics are packed; the wait times used to be horrendous. If the Royal Ortho wait times are less go there - the same consultants do clinics at both. Also, tell the secretary that you are available at short notice for cancelled appointments (if you are obviously).

Good idea re scoliosis group. Glad dd isn't in too much pain but of course you want her seen ASAP and quite right too.

Ok, I will shout very loudly then lol.

They did say that I might be rung at short notice. I am working now (at BCH) but they are pretty good with time off, and as they are a children's hospital I would hope that they would be understanding.

Have just joined the scoliosis group as I do not know anyone else who had any experience of scoliosis at all, and it would be nice to pick a few peoples brains lol.

Ooo are you Nutty? Working at BCH I mean We've just left as dd has been transferred to adult cardiology now she's a 'grown up' (she wishes!) otherwise I could have come say hello.

Yep I am only been there for about 6 weeks.

I am on ward 6 so mainly babies and toddlers.

It's really nice to hear you're working - I mean that in the nicest way - it seems that you've tried so many times to get on courses and stuff (you tried to do Access before didn't you?) and something always scuppered your plans. Hope you're enjoying it. And that dd gets seen soon.

Thank's

It isn't going so well tbh, but I am hanging on in there anyway, and hoping it all gets better lol.

Well have just got off the phone to the secretary, and basically the answer to how long will dd have to wait is 'how long is a piece of string'.

They said there is an issue with this particular consultants clinics atm because there are too many patients and not eneough clinics. Apparently the problem is being looked at by management and they are trying to find a solution.
She said that there are people who have been waiting longer than dd who haven't been seen yet, so she is in for a long wait.

I don't know what to do now tbh.

My beautful, talented grand daughter is about to undergo surgery for scoliosis. She is 16 years old.

She has started a blog which she will keep adding to during the whole process.

I highly recommend that both parents and their scoliotic child read it, and I am sure she would appreciate your feedback.

www.bellabacklog.wordpress.com