Paediatric cardiology...how long should referral take?

[ballstoit]

During the summer holidays, dd's (6) lips started to go blue whenever she ran fast, cycled hard, etc, basically exerted herself at all. We saw our go on 2nd August, he couldn't hear as problem with her heart but he said he'd refer to paediatric cardiology as problems can't always be detected.

We've not had an appointment, I rang gp last week, they said referral was sent day after we saw go, but they'd send it again.

Obviously, this is worrying me, particularly since she's back at school and I can't watch her closely. How long should I expect to wait for an appointment? And should I be doing anything to chase one up (experience tells me that those who shout loudest get seen quicker )

go=gp ...hate auto correct

Depends which area you're in but my DDs referral to the cardiology unit in Southampton happened within 2 weeks of seeing our GP. They are great there and she's been there twice now, most recently last week and she already has her follow up appointment letter.

See your GP again, they are able to speed things up if you're really concerned.

Thanks Mrs, will make an appointment with another gp at my practice.

Was chatting to dnephew's Diana's nurse and she was a bit that gp hadn't listened to dd's breathing or checked blood oxygen level when we went before. I'm not a panicker, that's only the 3rd time dd's ever seen the gp, but this is not normal for her and I want to know why.

I had to chase my son's cardiology appointment last year,it had gone astray!

Do you know which consultant you were being referred to? if you do you could try ring their secretary.

My DS1's referral took over a year as they didn't think it was urgent. He was found to have a heart murmur in Sept 2011 and we were told we would get an appt through for it to be checked out but that as there would be more urgent cases it may be a couple of months.

I had to chase it up on numerous occasions and didn't get far. We eventually saw our GP again a year later who confirmed the murmur was still there (they sometimes disappear) and we eventually had the Echo and ECG done in November 2012.

He was found to have a faulty valve which will need surgery during his teens.

Keep chasing them as it is much better to know as soon as possible if there is any kind of defect, and obviously if there is nothing wrong you need to know so you can stop worrying.

DS1 never goes blue btw. DS2 does when he is cold but his heart has been checked and is fine.

Good job I chased, GP hadn't sent referral After a huge strop, they have rung hospital and she has an appointment 26th September. Will update when we've been.

Glad you chased it up.
DH says that you should get a referral within 10weeks although they try to see you earlier than that. He said the main problem is that paediatric cardiology is very overstretched, however if they were very concerned they would slot you in as quickly as they can. (He's a regular Cardiologist)