Long post, rant. Please do not feel that you have to read or respond.
Some of you may know about the problems my daughter has been facing, trying to see an ENT consultant through the NHS. This all started last October, when my daughter was given telephone consultations for 3 months with her GP, and endless antibiotics before I stepped in and insisted she was seen in January. One look at her throat and she was put on a 2 week referral to ENT. They diagnosed an embedded tonsil stone, gave her medication and said they would see her again in 4 weeks time. In April after not hearing from them, she phoned to say that her symptoms had got worse, she was now losing weight and finding it hard to swallow. 2 days later an appointment arrived……The appointment was made for her for the previous March. Dated the 22nd April, but the appointment was for 3 weeks previously.The hospital have admitted this mistake, but say that as she missed her appointment they now cannot see her until August 2023. Even though it was pointed out that my daughter is not a time traveller so would never been able to get to her appointment.
She has been in so much pain, and now has ulcers all across her throat as well as swollen tonsils. We have complained to PALS who are carrying out an investigation, they can see that the March appointment was not made until April, but currently her appointment is still for 15 months time with Doctor P.
Today I phoned a private clinic and have now got her an appointment for 2 weeks time……with Doctor P. The same consultant who cannot see her through the NHS until August of next year.
When did our NHS become so bad? How many people who have cancer symptoms are being fobbed off with telephone consultations without seeing the doctor. I myself have not seen my GP or consultant for 2 years. I have had blood tests, ct scans, X-rays, but all consultations are over the phone. Not one person in all this time has listened to my wheezy chest or carried out any physical examination. I phoned my GP this week to say I needed some inhalers, and as these were not on my repeat prescription the receptionist would not let me order them. I still cannot believe that my GP asked me what I thought was causing my breathlessness…..”oh I don’t know”, said I, “maybe my lung cancer! “
I think you have answered your own questions regarding notifications. I know that things are displayed differently on mobile phones. However my signature, including the “I am a community champ’ is tagged at the bottom of all of my posts, so not sure why you cannot see it ? The tag is not added in any champ title post though, so maybe this is what you are referring too ? That is a data issue and not anything I am choosing to do. Why this would even be a concern I’m not sure?
Hi tvman 'Scuse me for jumping in - I'm the same as chellesimo, when I write a post my CC banner isn't shown below the post but when I reply to someone it is. (Helpful as it shows the Macmillan phone number)
Barb xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
"Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever” - Roy T Bennett
Well, I have had to wait patiently for over 4 years for an operation on a nerve in my elbow. I respect that your daughter's case is much more serious and possibly life threatening but over here in Northern Ireland our health service is very very slow. I haven't been able to have an unbroken night's sleep for 5 year's or more. Not one night goes by when the pain in my elbow and back doesn't waken me.I can't afford to go privately so I have to be patient
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