How long do you have to wait for an appointment to get my wife's treatment started? It has been 5 weeks and still no appointment my wife and I are very upset waiting for blackpool hospital to get in touch. What can we do? Wits end.
How long do you have to wait for an appointment to get my wife's treatment started? It has been 5 weeks and still no appointment my wife and I are very upset waiting for blackpool hospital to get in touch. What can we do? Wits end.
Hi Gary1957 thank you for contacting Macmillan.
I am so sorry to hear that your wife has a cancer diagnosis. Alongside the diagnosis, I can appreciate that waiting for treatment to start is upsetting for you both. At times such as this emotions can become overwhelming.
May I ask, how are you both coping? Do you have plenty of support around you? Please know we are here for you both on the Macmillan Support Line: it’s a place you can contact us, to talk through how you’re feeling and access emotional support. We are here every day of the week from 8 am-8 pm on: 0808 808 0000 or via web chat. Additionally you may find the booklet link below helpful. It talks through the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis as well as walking you through support that may be available and techniques you can use to support you both.
Regarding your appointment, I am sure that some options I have in mind, you will have tried, but I will walk through some ideas and you can choose if any are helpful at this stage.
I am wondering if your wife has an allocated cancer nurse? Sometimes patients are given a contact number for their nurse, on a card: this number would be a good place to start if you haven't yet had a chance.
Your wife’s healthcare team, including the appointment clerks for her department, are other options. You may ask at the hospital switchboard to put you through, or you may like to try your PALS team? Most hospitals have a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). They offer confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters to patients, their families and their carers. You may find the link below helpful to enquire if they can find your wife’s appointment in the system.
I am wondering if the Macmillan page below will help in order to advise you of your cancer care rights including additional options.
You may also like reach out to our nurses here at Macmillan. They are available between 8am and 8pm, on the number above, by choosing option 1 followed by option 3. They can also be reached via webchat and email or chose the Nurse option on Ask an Expert. They won’t have your wife’s medical details, but they do have a great knowledge of the NHS as well as giving medical support.
Macmillan Cancer Information Nurses
I do hope this information is helpful. Please do just get back in touch if you need any further support have any questions at all.
Liz
Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Advisor
