Does anyone know the government guidelines on timescales for being seen at outpatient clinics?
The reason I ask is that I was due to have my annual appointment at the breast clinic in October. My last appointment was in September 2009. I have received a letter delaying my appt until January 2011. I phoned the consultant's secretary and asked her to fit me in sooner as it will be 16 months since I was last seen and she said that the management services have told the secretaries no appointments are to be rescheduled and that I am lucky as some appointments have been delayed until February and March. Oh how lucky do I feel???? She also stated that some clinics have actually been cancelled completely.
The same thing happened last year. I was due to be seen in August and my follow up appointments were six monthly at the time, but I received a letter putting my check up back until February 2010. I phoned and complained that it would be a year since I had been seen instead of six monthly and the secretary managed to fit me in for September.
I am wondering if there is anyone I can speak to to try to get my appointment brought forward to nearer the time I should have been seen. I don't know who to contact and any advice would be gratefully received.
Christine xx
