Private Consultants secretary

[twiddlingthumbs69]

This is really annoying me;

10 days ago DH had an initial appointment with the Consultant, which went well. Consultant said he would get his Secretary to make contact.

For the past 8 days I've been trying to contact her. I've had three different names, 3 different numbers and 3 different email addresses. I used them all, multiple times. No one ever answers all calls back.

Has anyone else experienced this?
I've been advised by the hospital that if I don't hear anything by Monday, I should ring the hospital and escalate the problem. They will then email the consultant directly.

I really don't want to go down that route but might have no option. As I've been trying for 8 days I'm not prepared to wait until Monday, I'll do it tomorrow.

I just don't understand what the problem is. So far we've spent £1500 fir various tests and have heard absolutely nothing.

Anyone got any tips on what to do now?

That’s unusual. Any consultant’s secretary I have dealt with has been extremely responsive and helpful. Have you tried calling the switchboard at the clinic(s) where the consultant is based?

@Heather37231 yes, me too. I've never had this before.
I've rung the hospital multiple times. Each time I've been given different contact details. I've been assured that the number/email they gave me today is up to date.
Answerphone says she is in the office Monday-Friday, 1pm-7pm.
No reply to my two emails or multiple messages that I've left. I'm steaming!!!!

Yes, I have. Last emailed on 15 January. Called a left a message on the answering machine (no one ever answers) 9 days ago. Still nothing. Fortunately have had my results, but won't be using that consultant again! I went to my GP with my queries (had tests for a post op infection).

On the other hand, I see a brilliant endocrinologist, and his PA is very responsive and organised.

I know that's no help at all, OP. I've never had this issue before in decades of private health care.

@BatshitCrazyWoman that's another thing that's winding me up. We've paid for these tests and have heard nothing. Strangely enough, the consultant lives around the corner from me. I'm tempted to go and knock on his door!! (Won't though)

I'm not clear whether or not your husband is being seen privately by the consultant? If so, he will also have an NHS secretary, phone her and ask. If not private, phone another secretary in the same specialty, ie, surgery or medicine and ask can they help.

Did you go directly or via an intermediary like BUPA or HCA healthcare? My private cover refers me to clinics managed by HCA and they do a lot of the initial consultant liaison, though I do then deal with the secretaries direct once the relationship is established.

He's being seen privately and it's self funding. I can't seem to find any details for his NHS Secretary

Are the emails coming from your email address? Is it possible they can only deal directly with the patient?

ie have you checked his emails?

@Heather37231 he doesn't have an email and on all details they have, my email is the only address

He doesn't have an email?

Just phone the hospital where he does his NHS work. Switchboard will know.

@Princesspollyyy my husband doesn't have an email. Consultant has multiple emails, I've used them all

Is it an an emergency? Doesn’t seem very long to be waiting… depends on what the problem / pathway is.
Could they be on annual leave?

@olympicsrock no not an emergency (just as well). The could be on annual leave, I have no way of knowing.

@olympicsrock that's what is so frustrating, no communication whatsover. We were advised to go private for a speedy resolution and that has always been the case before but this time 🤷‍♀️

@twiddlingthumbs69 it's a rubbish situation, I've done some clerical admin shifts to help out with the med sec load (couldn't do clinical when I was pregnant), one of the consultants I was looking after does private work at the Spire and tried to offload his private work (typing, booking apts ect) on to me on my NHS time (which he was swiftly told to sod off with cause I was already stretched past capacity without doing his private work for him and saving him paying a private sec lol). Another also did private work but always said if a private client phones NOT to give them any details cause its not his NHS work, so it really does vary from consultant to consultant and their own work ethics.

You could try phoning the switchboard of the nhs hospital and ask to be put through to the secretaries of the department he's in and fingers crossed you get a nice one that will take a message and email him for you, but just be aware they might refuse too cause again, it's the private sector, some secs have been pulled up for it in the past cause its impacting their NHS work load.

Its bollocks that you're having to chase like this though considering you've paid privately, I would have expected better. Not whay you need when I imagine you're already stressed with hubby having tests etc. Fingers crossed you get a response and all is well soon! 🤞

@TinyTyrantsSnackb1tch thank you for your insight. I know she works for 3 consultants so imagine she is stressed, but! Not as stressed as me. Hubbys been unwell since Xmas, all very sudden. We're both in a constant state of anxiety of this, which the NHS added to. I really thought going private would offload some of the stress but it's just as bad.
Even if she's busy how can she just ignore multiple emails/requests for call back?
This is just awful

@TinyTyrantsSnackb1tch actually this is a consultant at the Spire. Maybe it's the same man

Again I guess it's down to personal morals, the consultant that DID try and get me to do his private work, if I got an email from a private patient looking for him I always forwarded it to him, and printed it out, highlighted it and taped it to his monitor in his office cause he was a dizzy twit 😅So I would hope his nhs sec would do the same and at least pass it on for you.

He's obs and gynae... so I'm gonna go out on a limb and think you're hubby likely doesn't need him😂

Don’t contact his NHS secretary if you were seen at a private hospital . It is completely separate.
If you are really unhappy and unwilling to wait , contact the Spire hospital management where you were seen to ask for a message to be passed to your consultant.

@olympicsrock thank you. Will escalate in the morning

@twiddlingthumbs69 How did you get on?

@TinyTyrantsSnackb1tch I rang the hospital and complained that she was not returning my calls. Lo and behold, within an hour she rang me.
She was quite defensive and tbh not professional at all but at least I had my questions answered.

I'm glad you finally got a hold of her, and hopefully it was good news for hubby?

I'd maybe have a wee think about changing consultants if that was her attitude, especially considering the amount you'll be paying her, disgusting tbh.

@TinyTyrantsSnackb1tch yes, it reassured us which was all we wanted really.
Unfortunately we are to far into the process to change consultants now but I'll certainly tell him when I next see him.