useless nhs

airwave
airwave Member Posts: 579
edited 6. Aug 2009, 08:33 in Living with Arthritis archive
Some may remember, after years of complaining to the doctor, I got a referral to the 'rheumy' off the nurse practioner, 19th May they sent my letter off, I phoned the hosp and asked why I hadn't heard and they said 'what letter'? I had to get the surgery to fax the letter over to make sure it was at the hosp.

Whilst waiting to speak to them I heard the message say that the next appointment is in October!!!! Why do I always get caught up in these things? Is this what the government meant by quick assessments and treatment in its new guidelines for arthers?

8) Its a grin, honest!

Comments

  • magenta
    magenta Member Posts: 1,604
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello,
    I can sympathise with you. In Glasgow, the NHS is rotten. I was referred for nerve tests in March-told their was a long waiting list. Phoned the secretary last month to be told, I'm on the waiting list but it'll be either October or November?!

    Magenta
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I went to a bbq last week and a couple of people were horrified that my appointment with the specialist wasn't until September. One person suggested I have my tkr done privately and it shouldn't cost more than £4500. I can't afford that kind of money especially now that I've given up work because of my OA and rely on my hubby.

    Folk such as ourselves have to wait whether we like it or not.

    The government and their quick fixes!

    Sharmaine
    airwave wrote:
    Some may remember, after years of complaining to the doctor, I got a referral to the 'rheumy' off the nurse practioner, 19th May they sent my letter off, I phoned the hosp and asked why I hadn't heard and they said 'what letter'? I had to get the surgery to fax the letter over to make sure it was at the hosp.

    Whilst waiting to speak to them I heard the message say that the next appointment is in October!!!! Why do I always get caught up in these things? Is this what the government meant by quick assessments and treatment in its new guidelines for arthers?

    8) Its a grin, honest!
  • angel1
    angel1 Bots Posts: 1,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You are so right Sharmaine! All the same, whoever told you £4,500

    was way off the mark.

    I enquired about going privately before I had my TKR over two years

    ago, and the cost was £10,000 then!
  • ifeelninety
    ifeelninety Member Posts: 57
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I waited for months to see Rheumy too and eventaully seen a private one - it cost about £80 for the initial app , he also done some bloods and then I had a follow up app with him, think in total it was about £300, but because he had started me on Hydroxychloroquine I got a quicker referral to see the nhs rheumy, so started tablets and seen him before initial app.
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I also live in Glasgow and they do all sorts to 'fudge' the figures. I was told my op would be within 12 weeks when I phoned they couldn't give me a date, although they said they may offer an alternative hospital. They them claimed to have sent a letter offering an alternative and that was witin the 12 weeks when I said I would be willing to go elsewhere they told me that no other hospital would do my surgery so I was stilll on the list. The result of this was that they could report that they had been in touch with me offering something within the 12 week guidelines.

    It's all smoke and mirrors.

    Also waiting for a CT scan for other problems I have. Was told that the average time is 4 weeks, the referral was about 7 weeks ago and I haven't heard a thing.

    Sorry that was a bit of a rant.

    Anne
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    [HI Angel
    Wow! £10,000 - that's a lot of dosh for an operation. They obviously didnt know what they were on about!

    By the way how are you after your TKR? Was it worth it? Having wonky knees is not good. My left one is a right mess all bent - I can't straighten it anymore - the right knee will go the same way.

    Sharmaine

    quote="angel1"]You are so right Sharmaine! All the same, whoever told you £4,500

    was way off the mark.

    I enquired about going privately before I had my TKR over two years

    ago, and the cost was £10,000 then![/quote]
  • angel1
    angel1 Bots Posts: 1,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sharmaine wrote:
    [HI Angel
    Wow! £10,000 - that's a lot of dosh for an operation. They obviously didnt know what they were on about!

    By the way how are you after your TKR? Was it worth it? Having wonky knees is not good. My left one is a right mess all bent - I can't straighten it anymore - the right knee will go the same.

    It was one of the best things I`ve ever done Sharmaine. Maybe I was just lucky, but I was out of hospital in three days, with one walking stick - went in with two - and completely pain free. The success rate is generally high with TKR`s, but not everyone is pain free at first. I exercised like it was going out of fashion, and I`m sure that helped a lot. Also, I chose to have an epidural, rather than GA, and apparently this speeds recovery. I was offered sedation, but I refused. I wanted to keep an eye on what they were doing to me! Hope this helps.......Ange.