I feel like a right whinge

[auntevil]

Does anyone else have a problem with uncontactable paediatricians? I was led to believe that my DS was under a 'team' under a named paediatrician. I cannot progress anything unless the named paediatrician OKs it. No-one else can answer anything, Paediatrician won't contact me - but passes messages on through secretary - who can't comment as she is not a medical professional - but passes comment back - wait a week - then on holiday for 2 weeks - should be back - still on holiday - note left on desk for her return. It just goes on and on.
Apart from door-stepping - which i threatened to do the last time they didn't return calls - what to do?

Become a pain in the butt is my usual answer..

Best this I can offer is a cuppa!

have pmed you, second arsenics response

I'm a PITA to them anyway - I think. We've already had a 'discussion' where we had to 'agree to disagree' - in order that we could continue with the conversation. I don't think she likes facts being thrown at her which she can't dispute. That would explain why she doesn't want to speak to me in person unless she has to - but not the huge gaps in communication.

can you find out paediatricians email address?

Thanks waiting - Bigcar also linked the hospitals consultant list. Unfortunately she's not listed. I'm off to try the PCT lists to see if she's lurking there. Maybe talking face to face every 9 months is her only preferred form of communication?!

yes but its not your preferred form of communication so track her down!!!!

Grrr on your behalf. We have emails for almost all professionals involved and moby nos for ost too, including paed,head gastro and surgeon- so it can be done! x

I have the numbers/e-mails for gastro, OT, Physio - but not the wretched paed, who supposedly co-ordinates it all. I have her secretary's numbers, but that's it. I think it's because she is not based in 1 place - and lives outside the UK!
PCT doesn't list her either. I'm thinking another e-mail to PALS to carefully position another strategic firework!

Sympathies for you. I've found in most situations where you are being put off that the old "squeaky wheel gets the grease" method is generally the best approach. If you are trying to get ahold of the paed, call their office every single day. "Oh, is he/she not able to speak to me yet? I'll check back later today." and then do so! After 2-3 days of this, the paed will ring you simply to stop you ringing them! I've done this, and it worked splendidly, especially when I closed with "I really hate to have to pester your office staff repeatedly in order to reach you when I'm sure they have better things to do. Is there an easier way that we can keep in contact that would be more efficient and would allow timelier responses?"

I like that one Triggles. Her secretary does have this kind of resigned to her fate voice. I get this feeling that she knows she is the buffer - hence the not a medical professional quote. You're right, I should guilt the Paed into not letting me pester her staff.

im on good terms with DDs pead but also have her email address. Was a bit miffed when i asked her to refer DD2 to OT but got no reply but then 3 weeks later get an appointment for OT :)

I too have problems 'communicating' with my daughter's doctors but more so with them communicating between themselves! My DD is seeing 5 different doctors at 4 different hospitals across 2 health authorities and we are trying to find a cause of her blinding eye problem. Letters are usually sent about 6-8 weeks late and often get 'lost' in the postal system (including an addendum to a report that they should've read before taking my daughter into theatre under GA). I ring each of my DD's Specialists secretarys sometimes on a daily basis and cringe when I hear their sigh when they realise its me again but it really is the only way to get things done. As much as I hate being a pest and hate the fact that I have to be a pest I feel I owe it to my beautiful little girl to push and push, she can't speak for herself yet so I'm damned sure I will speak for her!

Keep ringing, they will soon get sick and ring you back! Good luck and hugs :)

Don't get me started on Drs and medical professionals communicating between themselves - aaaaarrrrggghhh!
DS3 had 5 requests for a dieticians referral refused. Gastro paed, developmental paed, GP, General paed, and gastro again, all refused. It took the SALT to find out why he had been refused (never met the criteria) - she had the office next door and went in 1 lunch break and just asked. A few documents from me later and he got an appointment.
I just don't get how they work. I don't understand the who is senior to who and who can refuse who malarkey.

The more I think about it the more angry I feel! And what's with the letter thing? In this day and age surely test results, reports, letters etc. can be sent electronically and therefore faster and probably more likely to be received??? I spoke to a colleague of mine who also sits on some NHS Board? He said I am well within my rights to demand a group meeting with all of the doctors involved in my daughters case, specially if I have concerns that their lack of communication could result in medical negligence. You should be able to do that too. Grrrr!!!!

The dietician service was cut drastically after leaving staff were not replaced so they were only seeing dcs at the pmld school and those that were tube fed, noone else, even those already being seen were refused appointments. There were a lot of complaints and eventually they restored a little of the previous service The whole system is crap, especially as most of the therapists now work out of one place