What non-essential medical appointments have you had cancelled?

[TwistyHair]

I’ve had my daughter prosthetic leg appointment cancelled until further notice. I understand that there are more urgent appointments but I’m still really still really upset that her leg is now hurting and she won’t be able to walk soon.

I am also alarmed by this thread.

My endocrynologist appointment cancelled. I have underactife thyroic and GP will not prescribe me more Levothyroxine even though tsh is very high. Tbh I would not want to go into hospital atm. Scary pkaces.

My dh had brain surgrry on March 6th, after 2 previous cancellations due to no icu beds on day. He was so lucky to get surgery before Covid really kicked off in UK as tumour was making him go blind. He left hospital 2 days earlier than pkanned to free up his bed. We wete both so grateful he got tumour removed, and it was completely successful.

I have developed a raised mole on my skin, but my GP’s surgery is closed so I can’t get it checked.

Also haven’t been to the dentist in years and I’m in urgent need of a check-up and hygienist - but I don’t think that will be happening any time soon.

My sons Physio, OT, Orthotics, Specialist Surgical nursing team ( for mic-j), community paediatrician, neurology, Eye treatment, Respiratory clinic, his operation to have testicles moved from his groin has been cancelled......I could go on and on!

My uni cohort are also due to be rounded up by NHS occupational health (we’re an allied health professions course) in the next couple of weeks for another of our hepatitis jabs we need to be able to do clinical placements etc... no word from anyone yet about if those are going ahead (I’m assuming not and have no intention of going down to a closed campus on the off chance).

The potential SALT waiting lists at the end of this terrify me as the parent of a child with speech and language needs - we waited over a year at the best of times (and then our experience wasn’t stellar). We were discharged from NHS care but now any chance we have of getting re-referred if DD2’s needs get any worse is minimal - thank fuck I’m doing a SALT degree myself!

@Kuponut the paed SLT department in my trust have all been redeployed bar the odd one to man the phones. They have been told to expect redeployment for at least 6 maybe 12 months. Won't be able to resume face to face work until this is all over....it doesn't bare thinking about how departments will manage getting back and unpicking all that was left.

I wonder if there’s anyone monitoring all the outcomes of cancelled medical appointments. Bet there isn’t.

Insomnia clinic
Autism mental health appointment for my son
Pots appointment
Smear
And I imagine when we get that far my complex hyperplasia check up and biopsy will also be postponed.
My counselling appointment has been switched to online cbt

The impact that all of this is going to have on patients doesn’t bear thinking about. I’m so worried about my twins developmentally without any of the therapies they need - I’m doing my best but I’m not a professional. What on Earth is going to happen with waiting lists? We’ve got a sleep clinic appointment booked for October - even if the clinic is back up and running by then I guess they will cancel everything so they can see the people who should have been seen now first.

Surgery to fix diplopia and means I really can’t see properly at all
I had been on the list coming up for 2 years and my surgery was booked originally for end March

I just got letter to go for blood test. I need to have blood test every three months but I was expecting them to be cancelled.

DH was booked for vasectomy last week, been cancelled.

I have had a referral for counselling cancelled and a mole removal cancelled, and ds cant go for his orthotic boots to be fitted, but otherwise I think we have been really lucky. Ds has had a cardiology appointment on the phone (with proviso that if it was deemed essential they would see him), I have had long calls with CAMHS and SALT to discuss reports for his EHCP and transition reviews which are hopefully going to happen via video meetings. Ds had a perforated eardrum just over a week ago and we were able to access antibiotics without taking him out of the house (he is in the high risk category due to scarring on his lungs).

I am, however terrified of him becoming ill (whether it is Covid 19 or not) and needing any medical treatment.

I hope they find some solution to help your daughter, and others who are suffering get the hep they need.

My neurology referral for suspected nerve disorder is on hold. Routine dental appointment which would have included checking my implant (needs x-raying every few years).

Sorry to hear people have had counselling referrals cancelled, that sounds shocking as they should be doing it remotely surely? Some therapists are offering low cost counselling over Skype etc - in my area there’s also some free online support groups from a local group of therapists.

I'm shocked to hear people getting smears cancelled. Mine went ahead last tue and had coil removed straight after my smear

I have been offered my cbt by phone. However phone calls are an anxiety trigger for me so I am building up to call them and say it won’t work. Hoping I can access something online in the meantime via them

I'm shocked to hear people getting smears cancelled.

My OH has had his cancer treatment cancelled, with absolutely zero information or support - just been abandoned.

The impact that all of this is going to have on patients doesn’t bear thinking about.

I am genuinely worried that due to lack of GP and hospital services at the moment, more people are going to die due to lack of treatment for other illnesses than would die because of covid-19. The "cure" could actually be worse!

It must be different for some areas as I booked and went for my smear last week. Our gp surgery is still running, but telephone appointments only unless it’s for something that must be done face to face eg vaccinations, smears, blood tests etc

I'm shocked to hear people getting smears cancelled.

Yes, routine smears have been cancelled. Only high risk smears are being done.

Appointment for consultation to have more IUI done. It was changed to a telephone appointment but they have cancelled indefinitely.

Dentist - check up for everyone

Orthodontist - just come to end of Invisalign. Was meant to be having metal wire in. So having to just wear my last set of retainers at night to hopefully hold the teeth in place. If the worse comes to the worse may have to have a few more retainers.

Optician - my eldest was meant to have a school vision check before a dyslexia assessment

Dyslexia assessment - as above

It’s pretty bad.

I work in CAMHS, and we’ve had to wind our work way back to purely the most unwell and risky. We’ve lost at least half our staff to sickness and childcare. It’s not nice phoning families to explain that their child’s care is essentially on hold for at least a few months.

My pacing clinic appointment to check my icd (internal defibrillator) battery life and other parameters was cancelled. Got a new appointment for September through the post