NHS CARE

hezmarie25

Hi everyone
Writting to have a moan, sorry.
My GP sent me to one of these mobile NHS care units and I had my appointment today. What a waste of time and now I feel really frustrated.
It is supposed to be a new thing that helps beat the hospital waiting lists. They do all your tests in one day and then give you a decision. I thought it was for my arthur but when I got there he just went on and on about my angina. I told him thats stable and I have been referred with arthur but he just wouldnt listen. He sent me for some x rays on my knees and surprise surprise said, oh you got OA, I said well I was diagnosed with that ages ago, so whats new!!!!
He prodded and poked me and said oh physio, so I said been there done that got the t shirt but he still wants me to go back tomorrow for some physio exercises!!!!
I am really upset and annoyed and feel very frustrated because I have waited for this appointment and thought it was going to bring a miracle and now I feel really let down.
So folks if your GP even dares to recommend this sort of place say a big fat nooooooo. They move about the country and this one was parked on b&q car park. It was a GP who was filling in for mine and when I phoned mine when I got home he has gone mad so going to see him tomorrow and see what he says.
Anyway folks sorry for the moan but my knees are killing me now from the prodding and poking and I am so frustrated.
Good health to you all
Heather xxx

joanlawson

Hi Heather
I can understand your frustration when you have waited for the appointment.
Last year I was supposed to be going to a mobile MRI scanner, and was told that an appointment would be sent to me. After waiting for months, I managed to obtain the phone number of the unit, but when I rang, they had lost my referral and my name had dropped off the radar. The person I spoke to blamed the hospital, but further enquiries proved that the hospital had passed it on to them on a date long before.
I kicked up a fuss about this, and in the end the hospital fitted me in on their scanner, but I was really annoyed as I was in pain, and the inefficiency of the mobile unit delayed my diagnosis by months. I never received an apology from anyone.
Joan

livinglegend

What I would suggest is that you write to the Chair of the appropriate Health Authority with a copy to the Health Minister and one to your MP. If there are problems at the bottom, this is because of problems at the top.

Nothing will be done while people moan among themselves. But if the bosses think their bonuses might be cut because of complaints, they sing a very different song.

When a hospital pays several people in excess of £100,000 a year, (nearly £2,000 per week + plus bonuses on top), to people who can't even run a paper-shuffling empire properly, then you want compensation for being messed about.

When they send the standard, computer generated, 'we wish to ignore this letter', reply stating, 'we are very sorry about this, your complaint will be thoroughly investigated', ie. ignored, rip it in half and send it back with a letter saying you are not satisfied with their reply and you wish to take the matter further.

Until that point is reached, they are not even interested in your complaint. So, don't be afraid to rattle their ivory towers. It only takes a couple of letters.

Joseph 8)

jeannie2

I saw a surgeon last September, who promised me a splint to support my ankle. The pain is unbelievable. I had to chase it all up again in January. I go on Thursday this week to be fitted, instead, with an 'undiscussed' caliper.
If you see a dust cloud moving overhead, I caused it. I'm fuming. The bloke who'll be dealing with it is in for a rough time I can tell you and then ... I'm along to PALS and then my MP.
Dog with bone!

eckstardeluxe

What a waste of your time, no wonder your annoyed. It really pees me off when they start these new fandangled schemes with absolutely no apparent planning or sense to them. I'll certainly be keeping my ears pricked for this. Living legend is right though, write a complaint, I have developed a real flair for them since the Consultant called me fat in October. You think it may go nowhere but trust me it does get things noticed. Plus it feels cathartic too. Keep your chin up xx

woodbon

Hi I'm sorry you had a bad day and after waiting, well, it must have been a mega disappointment. . I think they start all these new things without consulting the people on the ground who run the systems and those who use them. It must sound wonderful to people who don't have to use the hospitals - all the targets met and the new inititives set up, but we who use them know differently. :?. Love Sue

greyheron

Very sorry to hear about this really poor service, Heather.

I agree with what has already been said about writing in with a complaint. You already have the basis of a very good letter with your post here!

I had a TKR in a private hospital last November, had generally excellent care but a few things were definitely not right. I filled in the 'Patient Feedback' questionnaire, ticked the box that I wanted a response and that I would like to discuss my issues with someone - four months later, no reply (not even an acknowledgement). I have now written to the hospital's Executive Director.

These higher managers - NHS and private - are indeed paid huge sums and the trouble is they can be very cut off from the 'real world' - so it's up to us to bring it to their attention!

Hope things go better for you from here on.

Take care

Wendy

hezmarie25

Hi all
Thanks for your lovely responses. I am going to sit down and draft a letter of complaint once tea and everything is sorted out.

I am in agony today despite the patches because of all his prodding and poking, was in two minds to go back and demand to see him today and give him a telling off but security probably would have thrown me out

Went to see gp who was livid and he also is going to write to them. He asked why they were so concerned with the angina when I went over arthur and I said don't ask me!

Anyway thanks everyone.
Good health to you all
Heather xxxxx