Re: wiating for nhs referral

April 1, 2004

I've been waiting everyday for the post to come with my appointment

or details of how to arrange an appointment. I've stopped myself

from ringing up right from the first week and tryed to be patient

but gave in today and rang Birmingham R O hospital to find out that

my GP hasn't sent it. They gave me the fax number and a name of

someone who said they would get it on the system asap. Then rang my

GP's receptionist to get her to fax the letter accross to them. So

my advice to anybody who is waiting to hear news is: chase them up

or you could wait an extra month or more. Its very fustrating!

especially when time is something I don't have on my side.

Zoe

April 1, 2004

Zoe

You must feel very frustrated but your advice to others is commendable.

The Birmingham R.O. are easy to contact and generally OK.

My GP's are very good - it's a joint practise and you may see any doctor

without appointment. They have backed me up when hospital appointments at

other hospitals are substantially delayed. In one circumstance I had one

appointment put back 3 months; I phoned the hospital to be told that if I

wanted it sooner I would have to go through my GP; I said that would be fine

but then asked for the persons name who I was speaking to and told her that

I would inform my GP of it. Her attitude seemed to change immediately and

all of a sudden my appointment was brought forward 11 weeks. The GP's seem

united in that you politely push for what you want. I realise this may not

be of help to you now but it may be to others.

One doctor said because of the bureaucracy of NHS management, the medical

staff are not always aware of what is going on. A secretary or

administrator are human and do make mistakes be it at the doctors surgery or

hospitals.

Follow the advice of Zoe - No one minds a phone call

Rog

---- Original Message -----

To: surfacehippy >

Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 11:31 AM

Subject: Re: wiating for nhs referral

> I've been waiting everyday for the post to come with my appointment

> or details of how to arrange an appointment. I've stopped myself

> from ringing up right from the first week and tryed to be patient

> but gave in today and rang Birmingham R O hospital to find out that

> my GP hasn't sent it. They gave me the fax number and a name of

> someone who said they would get it on the system asap. Then rang my

> GP's receptionist to get her to fax the letter accross to them. So

> my advice to anybody who is waiting to hear news is: chase them up

> or you could wait an extra month or more. Its very fustrating!

> especially when time is something I don't have on my side.

> Zoe

>

April 1, 2004

Zoe:

Your note struck a chord. My GP wrote to the OS at Wonford Exeter to be told

that they dont do the procedure in Exeter, (experimental, unproven over a

reasonable research period) GP just sat back until I phoned the hospital. Now

the Gp has to start all over again. Another letter to Bristol and this is just

to get on the bottom of a very long waiting list.

Frustated Phil Exeter UK