Scan delays

Hi Ms Divine, I have now joined the 'pain-in-the-arse' ranks. I finally tracked down a number for the CT scan appointments and after a number of attempts got through. When I outlined the issue they offered me an appointment on the spot - this afternoon. Now I've worked out how to go directly to them and not always via a third party, I won't hang about waiting next time. Thanks Rainie x

Thats phone number might be useful time. And again

Thanks OBStaffies, I know it's the same for everybody with regard to all the waiting, but sometimes getting through to the rock face in my area has proved difficult. I think I've cracked it now though.

It's interesting to hear of Patricia V's experiences. We have a view generally in this country on what the US system is like, which may not always reflect the reality. Like many here, I've had treatment that, in the past year alone, would have bankrupted us: three teams of surgeons; 6 gastroscopies; loads of other rather ghastly 'procedures' and scans and X-rays galore + 2 months worth of solid, and exceptional, nursing care 24/7. I thank my lucky stars I'm living in England.

Our system does have it flaws I agree, but it's not always down to a lack of money. In such a top-heavy institution there is always a lot of waste and, it must be said, some poor decision-making. The NHS is not unique in this regard. We go to hospital and we don't see the half of it. When I was an in-patient at the height of the first Covid wave, our hospital got its staff vaccinated in double quick time. It was really impressive, but what amazed me was the number: over 10,000 employees on that site alone. Across the board, our health service is mammoth. You could throw money at it for ever. Which is why you need good management to make sure that the money is going where it should. I don't envy anybody doing that job. 

So, back to the waiting game and the fingers crossed. Thanks. Rainie x

Hello Salis, I've got an appointment sorted now. I usually get surgeons appointments first, followed by one for my oncologist two weeks after the surgeon. The scan appointment usually arrives later but is supposed to take place before I see the consultants, and especially before I see the oncologist, otherwise he's got nothing to discuss. If nothing arrives in a timely manner next time I will be onto it. Thanks Rainie x

Patricia, you're not a dumb American - your experience is just different. And interesting. For instance, I can't see my appointments online - can anybody here in the UK? All I can do online is to order repeat meds from my GP. (General Practitioner - local doctor). Let's keep comparing notes. Rainie x

Cheers Tony, it's in the diary. x

Good for you Rainie for getting that number! I remember when I was once given the golden words to get past the after-hours operator at the hospital, to be able to talk to an actual medical person if I had a problem after hours - something like "I need to speak to the resident on call for sarcoma." And open sesame, I was through!

And about waste and mismanagement, there is absolutely no guarantee that just because something is private here (vs government), there is less waste. You should see the amount of paperwork doctors' offices have to do here, to be able to know and bill all the different insurance companies. Before you can get anything done they have to verify that you are covered and for how much, then let you know the cost to you so you can see if you can afford it, (for things that aren't emergencies) then bill insurance and argue with them sometimes, then get the balance from the patient. Sometimes docs are required to follow certain steps before they can prescribe an expensive drug - I had that happen, had to try 2 cheaper ways of reducing the effect of the chemo on my heart, before they would pay for the expensive cardio-protective drug. And I had really good insurance. There is just this whole extra layer of administration added. Anyway...

And Rainie, there is an online patient portal for my local health care system, which uses the same software as my cancer hospital. I can see lab and other test results. Scan results show up here, usually after I have had the appt to discuss them with the provider. It used to take a while for things to show up online, but I think there is maybe a patients' rights legal push here to release it to the patients fairly quickly after it's available? For some reason recently I've been able to see the actual provider notes in my chart too lately, which is weird. Don't know how I feel about all this, I like more info, but can just imagine the number of people who read something online before their doc and panic.

I wonder if bigger hospitals, like maybe the Royal Marsden, have something like this?

Patricia

Hi Rainie, you asked can anyone here in the U.K. well yes. I go to hospital in Cambridge and we have a phone app/ web site called MyChart. I can view my future and past appointment times, my blood test results and the narrative for a scan, and the drs letters that they write after each consultation it’s brilliant. They don’t usually release the scan results until they’ve been discussed with us first though. The blood test results also have the normal range so you can see if something’s a bit off. It also allows you to message your team if you have any questions that you think of between appointments. The website gives more info than the app, I can’t see the drs letter on the app but it does tell me there is one to view. Last week I was chasing a scan date, through my cancer nurses,  on Saturday morning I got a message to check the app for an appointment and could then check to see it’s been made for 2/9. When it first came in a few years ago it gave you a choice to opt in, I’m glad I did.

Splendid!