Anyone want an orthopaedic appointment?

stickywicket

I've got one going spare. Two actually. I saw my orthopaedic surgeon for a routine check up about 3 weeks ago. He said he'd see me again in 6 months. A week ago they sent me another appointment for this month. I rang up and explained. They said sorry and would get back to me in Feb/Mar. Today they sent me another appointment for this month. I shall ring again tomorrow to explain.

But there is a serious side to this.
If they (Orthopaedic booking services) are messing up so much sending me appointments neither I nor my surgeon want, it means others are missing out. Any ideas who I should inform?

valval

this is silly what a waste of time and resources hope you get it sorted val

tillytop

Hello Sticky

Fortunately I don't have need of your spare appointment thanks but I do have a suggestion as to whom you could tell about this muddle.

When I had a similar issue recently, I talked to the hospital PALS people and they told me that they would ensure that my concerns were passed back to the relevant person. They also told me they were aware of the problems and were monitoring things (presumably because others had raised the same issue). So if your hospital has a PALS - and I think most do - it might be worthwhile advising them of what's happened.

Tilly xxx

traluvie

At the hospital where i worked Sticky the complaints went to hospital director or ward/department manager, depending on complaint..
A list of management should be on the hospital website and complaint information(it is on our local hospital, not sure if it is the same everywhere).

You are right in what you say though, imagine all the people they need it but are loosing out..

Let us know how you get on..xx

suzygirl

Sticky, I would contact the consultants secretary and explain what is happening and maybe give PALS a ring. It is a shame the dept is so disorganised.

How nice of you to care enough to try and sort it out!!

CJHunter

Hi Sticky, not sure where u r or what county but there might well be a link service for your county
Thatis independant to the hospital. For example we have norfolk link and i know there is a suffolk link, derbyshire link. Google it and see. They deal with all complaints within the nhs.

Hope this helps.xx

hileena111

Hi Sticky/Stocky
Well thats a turn around isnt it
We are usually waiting for appts....typical NHS :roll:
But you are right.......the people that are getting missed while others are getting duplicate appts......what are the NHS coming to??
Love
Hileena

stickywicket

Thanks everyone for your replies and good suggestions. I checked out the 'LinK' site. It looks interesting & I'll look at it more when I'm not as busy as right now. I'm not sure about the 'hospital director' in this case as it's a whole group of hospitals and I think part of the problem lies in a central booking system. So I think I'll go back to PALS who were very helpful once before when orthotics couldn't get their act together.

Hileena, the NHS isn't perfect but I can't imagine what my life would be like without it. My son, in USA, pays around £200 a month for health insurance. He once had to pay about $100 for 3 stitches when he split the webbing on a finger playing cricket as his insurance didn't cover him for sporting injuries. And we had to pay £200 per month for his baby's insurance until his wife went back to work & could get the baby on hers because they were really strapped for cash at the time. The NHS can be annoying but the US 'system' is really scarey.

GraceB

I was going to suggest complaining to PALS as well. Also why don't you write to the Chief Executive of your hospital and send him/her copies of all your appt letters. No guarantee you'll get a response mind you, but it's worth a try.

I think it's disgusting that they're operating like this - doesn't give you much faith in them does it?

Good luck with your complaints - let us know how you get on.

Grace.

prefabkid47

stickywicket wrote:

I've got one going spare. Two actually. I saw my orthopaedic surgeon for a routine check up about 3 weeks ago. He said he'd see me again in 6 months. A week ago they sent me another appointment for this month. I rang up and explained. They said sorry and would get back to me in Feb/Mar. Today they sent me another appointment for this month. I shall ring again tomorrow to explain.

But there is a serious side to this.
If they (Orthopaedic booking services) are messing up so much sending me appointments neither I nor my surgeon want, it means others are missing out. Any ideas who I should inform?

An additional problem is that if things aren't sorted and you didn't go they may accuse you of not keeping appointments........... :???:

dachshund

Hi Stickyw.
how are you i hope things are going well for you.
thank you i have an ap on the 6 dec ortho.
i hope it can be sorted out.
i bet it is cold on the shed.take care.
joan xx

julie47

Do Orthos do necks???? I'll have it if they do

Seriously though, how dam silly are they to send you not only one but two.
No suggestions as who you would contact (only the department at top of the letter)

Ahhhhh but then again, if you cancel this one (that you dont need) will you have a black mark against your name and have to be referred again????
I am asking because, when I cancelled my rhummy app (no point going as they need to see me after op) I got told that if i cancel this next one (which I have now made for january, hoping the op will have finally been done) I will have to be re-referred. Even though it isn't my fault.

I hope you can sort it sticky and give them a piece of your mind.

Juliepf x

stickywicket

prefabkid47 wrote:

An additional problem is that if things aren't sorted and you didn't go they may accuse you of not keeping appointments........... :???:

Oh they did that in April, prefabkid. I got ill in USA & had to postpone my flight home, thus missing my ortho appt. I tried every which way to find a number on the internet that I could ring to let them know but couldn't. When I got home there was a letter waiting for me threatening to drop me if it happened agin. Well, they certainly haven't done that!

I've emailed PALS. They have to treat it as a complaint but I emphasised it's only a complaint against the booking service cos the dept and staff and service are fantastic. Thanks again everyone.

Julie - Mine's a knee & hip bloke. I suspect your head might turn at strange angles if he were to stick a knee or hip joint in your neck but I'm up for it if you are. Want me to ask?

valval

i could take my knee (well could not go with out) it much better since injection but do wonder what going on in there lol val