I had to wait 6 months for an appointment with a consultant and when i did he was very abrupt didnt allow me to speak and said that he wouldnt do surgery and didnt give me a reason so i have been left with a prolapse and no answers anyone else had a difficult time with a consultant, i tried to complain but they just brushed it under the carpet and i got nowhere
christine you said you "tried" to complain. All complaints in the NHS have to be investigated that's written in their rules. Complain to the NHS Ombudsman and inform the hospital or whoever you complained to that you are doing that. No complaints can be ignored.
What Matron says is correct. Have you requested a second opinion?
Really is sad that this kind of thing is still happening.
I hope you get the information you need. Have you spoken to your GP? They should get a letter explaining findings and opinion.
I had the same thing I requested another appointment and got a different consultant who was lovely but had a different opinion than the first one, so I wrote to PALS (patient advice and liaison service) not sure if all hospitals have then but like the other ladies said they have to investigate all complaints, anyway the top consultant took my case and I was so please i wrote the letter as I was a bit nervous about it at first as o never complain. I am 12 weeks post op, mine wasn't the worst prolapse but I'm so glad I had it done and no problems, I have a few niggles but in the whole so glad I had it done and pushed myself to write that letter....try writing to the hospital, good luck
All hospitals have PALS and that's where I made a complaint and advised christine to do the same a few weeks ago. I also copy my complaint to the Chief Executive. I think christine complained to PALS but I'm sure she'll get back to us to confirm that
Hi Christine, i made a complant that was looked into but i ended up refusing to see my consultant again as there was such an unpleasant atmosphere, i wish i had gone with my instincts the 1st time i met him, i sought a 2nd opinion with another consultant at a different hospital and he is just wonderful, treatment is still ongoing after 14 months as so much scar tissue, please see your gp and ask to be referred to another consultant.
hi jan how long did you have to wait to get a 2nd opinion as i have been told it could be six months which seems a long time to me and at a hospital quite a way from me too
Hi christine i was recomended a consultant and i arranged a private consultation, so i didn't wait at all, saw him within 2 days . After initial private consultation he transferred me to his nhs list.
6 months is ridiculous christine but it makes me think the consultant you have been referred to is extremely popular. Do you know his/her name? If you do send me a personal message and I'll see if I know him or I may know someone who does because I am in touch with other nurses in other NHS Trusts x
His name is Andrew Williams at St Thomas i hope he is better than the last one i saw who was not sympathetic at all and literally had no time for me so hoping he is better than that
you were very lucky then hope i get some luck soon
I think I've heard of him and heard him speak at a conference a few years ago. I'll double check because if it is him he is lovely and came across as very caring. I'll get back to you because I have the information at home x
christine he isn't who I thought he was but I've been told he is an excellent consultant who has undertaken a lot of research into pelvic floor. His job title (among a few) is Gynaecologist but he is a qualified urogynaecologist and specialises in pelvic floor and colorectal surgery. I spoke to someone who knows of him. I think you will be in good hands. Start writing down all your questions as you think of them so you get the most out of your appointment even though it may not be for a while.
The last consultant i saw the horrible one wouldn't even let me speak let alone ask questions and i only saw him for 10 minutes i dont think you get a long time to ask too many questions thats what i am afraid off been through it all before i hope this consultant lets me speak at least as the other one didnt
I know your last consultant wasn't very pleasant at all and sounds as though he lacked communication skills however a good doctor will give you all the time you need. That's why outpatient clinics are always running late.
It might be worth speaking to his secretary if you can be flexible and attend a short notice cancellation appt. Friend in uk had an appt last week like this after being given an appt for the end of May.
I found it really helped me for my appt yesterday to have my list of questions and concerns in a typed out list (largish font 16). I included a separate sheet outlining what my average day was like, symptoms, effects on quality of life, issues with work, sleep, intercourse etc. I left this with the consultant.
Really hope you get a more receptive and positive outcome this time. I would also be prepared for requesting a referral for another specialty to review if they can't help you (don't know if you can do this in uk or if you need to go back to GP).
I've already suggested christine rings the secretary on another thread but I've since found out only yesterday that in most cases the secretary has no control over the appointments anymore, there is now a separate department that deals with them in most of the NHS hospitals. It became too much work for them probably because people like me who work in the NHS were encouraging it.
Sorry also meant to add in a lot of cases women don't know which consultant they have been referred to because GP referrals often to to the appointment department and a consultant is allocated there. This is to make sure work is equally shared.
That makes a lot of sense Matron, it has been over 5yrs since I worked in the nhs and I know things have changed a lot. The sharing things out fairly seems like a good plan, probably protects those who find it hard to say no.
Things where I am at the moment are very different, very personable and pretty much no waiting. Yesterday I was chatting to one of the junior doctors and he was asking what it was like. I did mention that the waiting times were an issue.
I have been watching the bbc2 programme Hospital, the strain that nhs is under seems tremendous if the portrayal is reflective of the NHS in general. When I left it was gruelling and we were severely over stretched and knew then that I wanted to move into primary care.
I watched that programme as well, it was fascinating and I hope it makes patients appreciate the NHS more. Waiting times are crazy at the moment and watching that programme helps you understand why and seeing what a difficult job all the staff have trying to make things work for the patients. Everyone is overstretched and in some ways I am pleased to have retired. It was interesting that last year all retired nurses received a letter from the Department of Health asking if they would return to work in their local hospital, that's how desperate they are. I think you made a very wise choice moving into primary care.