Cancelled follow up investigations

Hi 

Good to hear from you and delighted that you have found your balance in life again .

I have to say I am really shocked at that one . I would have thought that was still a priority. I have my first mammogram to attend next week at a mobile unit and I fully expected that to be cancelled to allow the radiologist to focus on priority cases . Which in my mind would have been you ! 

If you look on WWW. Gov.uk it gives guidance on who is classed as vulnerable and should be taking social distancing extremely seriously and it basically states if you are still called for the flu jag then the government sees you as having underlying health issues . Not sure how that is interpreted post op and you have returned to your normal fitness. 

From what I can gather Intensive Care Units units are still at their peak of winter issues and some of the concentrating everything is to push it past spring when the other demands ease off and not competing with corona .To me you are a priority for sure and I can’t quite get my head around that in a matter of weeks that has turned on it’s head .I hear one Doctor saying they don’t know if the are going to be Lombardi or Naples so until they get a better feel of it they are preparing for the worst . Hopefully a bit like the panic buying they will be able to make the adjustments when they are in a more informed position . 

I think once they get a feel for what they are dealing with services will be in a better position to at least assess it . 

You know I think you should phone Macmillan 0808 808 0000 for guidance on that one . I think in some health authorities you would have seen you and I think you would want some assurance that a reschedule is on the calendar. 

Take care ,

Court 

Thanks Court for your reply and the sterling work that you do on here. It is reassuring to hear that I am not overreacting or selfish in this instance. 

I have actually contacted my MSP and she is taking it up with the health board. In a general sense they can't ignore the needs of people with underlying conditions amidst their 'panic'. I am confident that the surveillance protocol is there to provide people with the best longterm outcome and shouldn't be dismissed so readily. I have no idea when they intend to reschedule my scan. I am not ignoring the strain that health boards were already under and obviously this has just  got a lot worse. 

I wasn't offered the flu jab this year, infact I have barely been near the surgery except to have bloods taken. My usual GP retired and unless I have an issue I don't expect that the doctors will know who I am. My usual GP was very personal and attentive. The surgery is on telephone consultations only and my blood test for my thyroxine levels has also been cancelled until further notice. The dose has been increased and the levels borderline too high. Quite honestly it isn't good enough.

I don't think that I needed a flu jab and largely feel well. Just I would like to keep it that way. 

Today I will call the colorectal nurses and get their take on it but my gut is that the 'special measures' employed by the government should not include neglect of anyone else's wellbeing. 

I have told my mum she probably won’t get her follow up that is planned but she is further out by a few years but I honestly thought that you would have gone ahead ( not that I would know to be honest ) . 

It sounds as though priority cases are diagnostic emergencies now !! This is shifting by the day . 
Is your thyroid monitored by your GP ??

I can totally understand your concern . Hope you get some success . I would have thought today would have been possible before the peak !!  

Our GP is doing phone consultations. My family and friends in the NHS are still doing their work . It’s very , very confusing how each authority is interpreting it .

Maybe your phone call will help keep the cancer patients in your area as a priority . Hope so !

take care ,

 Court 

I just called one ofthe colorectal nurses and they are in agreement with me. She hasn't been getting answers about what is happening with their patients  and are glad I phoned. She will take it to their line manager.

I am not to concerned re my thyroxine as I know the symptoms  to look out for and will remember to get my levels checked at a later date. Not everyone is medically aware though. 

As you say I feel also that I could easily have had my CT scan slipped in this morning before things exploded. What a difference a day makes. 

That’s great she was supportive . Hopefully they will be able to get that moving for you . 

Gosh you are so right . I think I have a handle on it and the next day there is a whole new set of guidelines .

Stay safe ,

Court 

You were right

I stupidly did not think they would do this to cancer patients . If you look on BowelcancerUk ‘s forum under guidance for professionals and Corona virus there is a link to a document produced by “ One Cancer Voice “ collaboration with 18 cancer charities. You will find your answer there on how services are being prioritised. And they are priorities now .

I wish you well .

Court 

Thank you Court, I will look. 

It is not clear to me why the decision was made either 1) prioritising resources during a crisis or 2) thinking the risk to the patient was not too high

It is shocking to read posts that cancer treatments have been stooped and operations cancelled and same with scans and tests and one lady posting her husband if he becomes unwell will not be given a bed in ICU i am in shock and so upset for all who need treatments and surveillance.

process x

Here is the document . Might help you clarify your case .

www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/...nice-for-healthcare-professionals/

You might have to google it as my links rarely work and my fingers are struggling today a bit too !!

Good on you for raising your concerns .

take special care ,

Court