Help! Can they do this?

[pie]

Ok, read this thread first.

I got a letter today, a copy of the letter that is also being sent to my GP. It says:

Thank you very much for referring this patient with primary hypothyroidism. Unfortunately our waiting list for routine appointements is very long and I therefore attach an information sheet which should enable this patient to be fully managed in primary care. I hope this is helpful.

Attached is one side of A4 about hairloss in thyroid patients and THAT IS IT!!!

WTF...can I complain or something, can they just say no without seeing me, even with a GP referral? I have been ill for nearly 5 years now and I'm at my wits end and in tears. This sucks.

WTF do I do now?

Sorry meant to add that this letter is from my referal to Hammersmith Hospital, as my first hospital is crap and my GP doesn't feel she can treat me.

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What a nightmare for you Pie. Have no advice as cant imagine what it is like for you. Just wanted to wish you all my best and hope you get it all sorted!

bugger, I would complain- write saying it isn't good enough (will you GP back you) and send a copy of the letter to your MP and councillors (I am doing this at the moment re: SALT- the NHS has no plans to cover ds1's SALTS maternity leave)

The can do it though- we had an identical letter about OT.

"we have no OT at the moment but your referral has been filed if one becomes available we will contaxct you".,

The next politician who says the NHS is the envy of the world deserves a boot up the arse. The NHS ceased to function some time ago- if you can't pay for it there is no health care available. It makes me so angry pie.

Complain and complain. I know in this case you won'\t be a mother from hell but I can send you one of my mugs if you like- makes me feel strong when I am on the phone complaining yet again that basic needs (not luxuries) are not being met.

oh my friend went to the local press as well. They did get a reply from the HA (we're still waiting)- apparently there's a shortage of SALTS nationwide. There may well be (there is) but I happen to know that an autism specialist SALT has apporached them looking for work and I also happen to know that they never had any intention of providing maternity cover- so they lied to the press.

Meant to add so if you can bear going to the press you may get somewhere. I was quoted as " a mother who asked not to be named"

I'm sorry Pie. My mum has the normal variety of hypothyroidism and before she was treated she was literally suicidally depressed (I didn't realise because she didn't tell ). It was dreadful. Complain, hassle, don't go away - and I know all this is bloody difficult when you have a baby, can't walk and have no money - but do keep at them. Enlist your GP, write to your MP. Do anything you can. This is a disgrace. Do they not realise that your thyroid controls every single function of your body? Also, write direct to the consultant you should be seeing. You never know.

And honey, if you need help with doing any of the letters or associated hassle, you only have to ask. (((hugs)))

Thanks everyone, I will talk to my GP on Monday and then decide what tack to take...I'm so pissed with it all, everytime I think about it I feel sick

Nothing to add, just (((hugs))) - I wanted you to know there are lots of us out here, thinking of you and sympathising, even if we have nothing constructive to add.

I really feel for you. If you read a little bit of my threat 'heart condition' you'll see I'm going through a similar-ish thing trying to get to see a cardiologist. I truly despair of the health service in this country. And I wish desperately I could afford to go private. Good luck. xxx

Hi Pie, sorry you are having such a dreadful time at the hands of the docs. Aloha is right about making a fuss and involving your MP. You may also find these links helpful. This here gives current NHS guidelines for treating people with hypothyroidism ? see esp. the bit on specialist referral. This here is a patient information leaflet that you've probably seen already. Have you contacted the British Thyroid Foundation? They may be able to advise: PO Box 97, Clifford, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 6XD
Tel: 0870 7707933 Web: www.btf-thyroid.org

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Pie, if you can summon up the energy (and I know that is difficult at the moment) also worth harassing your Primary Care Trust. And your local Patients' Forum ? they represent patients in your area. Numbers in phone book (hope that doesn't sound patronising...). Hope this is resolved soon.

Wow, thats a really good page eddm, I think I'll show it to my GP as I would seem to fit the criteria for referral!

I'm not pregnant btw Robin...DD2 is now 4 months old. I have already had very shabby treatment at one hospital and this was a referral to treat me at a different one.

Feel like I'm banging my head against a wall trying to get a doctor to listen to me!

Glad to be of help

Pie, I hope eddm's excellent leaflets do the trick with your GP/referring hospital. So sorry to hear about Hammersmith's useless response, you really don't deserve it.

come and share my wall pie. Big dents in there already....

pie- very similar letter received this morning from the acting head of speech and language therapy. Basically they're not providing maternity cover for ds1's SALT as they haven't got any money to do so. SO tough.

Never mind the fact that he has a statement specifying SALT provision. The statement is meant to protect his right to speech and language therapy- ie the LEA have a legal duty to provide it. The health authority however don't have a legal duty to provide SALTs for the LEA's to use.

What an utter joke.

More letter writing for me tonight.

(BTW I am sending all copies of my letters to MP's + councillors).