I saw my cardiologist on 19 may and he was referring me to st thomas' london for my ablation. Well I've not heard a thing or received my report from my appointment so I called them. Turns out the secretary has been off sick but 'it's definitely gone out'. Funny thing is I spoke to st Thomas and they never received it. So the last two months have just been wasted! I was not surprised, but FFS!
Moan over.
Happened to me regarding a referral to new EP the surgery never received it but the secretary here told me it was sent, probably ended up in the 'ether' somewhere, but they sent another one, apparently it wouldn't have made much difference as the appointment was filled in already awaiting confirmation.
you gotta keep tabs on this though strange!
I realise they're incredibly busy, but what a shame and what a pain for you! I just hope it's possible for you to push it along now that they realise it's gone pear-shaped...
Agree with most of what Loo says as I am ex medical secretary myself. Don't assume it's the fault of your local cardio people. St Thomas's are brilliant but when I was discharged after surgery, someone forgot to book a cardioversion for me and I waited 4 months rather than the 6 weeks or so that they intended. It was clearly in my notes and discharge letter but either the ward forgot or the secretary didn't check when she sent the letter. Should have chased them before I did. Doctor asked me why I had waited so long and was very embarrassed when I told her.
I don't think you can blame one individual but you certainly can comment on the systemic failure of the management system to cope. All too often case notes go missing, appointments are not followed through and in the meantime patients suffer and their conditions worsen, you may know this as a concern close to my heart!
I find that to add insult to injury, senior managers are paid exorbitant amounts of money whilst the foot soldiers are left to literally pick up the backlog and face the wrath of the offended. Having family members who worked in the so called computerisation of hospital records which failed, I know just how much money and resources were wasted. The NHS is under huge pressure and we all expect more from it because of medical advances but the reality is that it is failing.
All this shows that it is essential to keep tabs on what's happening. It really concerns me that people who are old and confused will not be able to cope.
Our local hospital was asked by the EP at the heart hospital to equip me with a 7 day loop recorder and to send him the results. One month later the local Cardiologist discovered that they'd filed the results away. He assured me that they were being sent. Two months later I saw the EP and he still had no results. 3 weeks later I had a letter from the EP to say that he had finally received them.
I recently had a letter from the local hospital to say that as they had not heard from me and I had not responded to their letters they were going to inform my GP that I no longer required cardiac services. I had actually had an appointment with their Cardiologist the previous day!
At least twice now I have rung up to enquire why I have not heard anything about appointments or test results to be told that no one knows anything about it so don't assume anything. Keep enquiring. In my experience for the most part it has been lost paperwork and as has already been said, the N.H.S. is really struggling at the moment for various reasons. Now a day's I just ring again and again if necessary , being very pleasant but persistent and am usually not made to feel a nuisance. Usually, but not always ! X
Bottom Line is that we must all take responsibility for our own treatment. and manage it accordingly. Sitting back just makes you a customer rather than a partner in your treatment.
Bob
I think that for all sorts of reasons, the NHS just doesn't "get" concepts of either customer or partner. Being a customer implies, to my mind, some sort of choice or alternative that most of us don't have. There are still too many hierarchies - still some old school autocratic consultants and managers who are too remote from the point of delivery of service.
Absolutely agree that we are all ultimately responsible for managing our own treatment but some are more able to do that than others and patients are by definition a vulnerable group.
But Loo how ironic they put the pressure on you to return to work ASAP when you need the help and support to recover in your own time so that you can be resilient enough to work the front line. I am sure you do a great job, it the the system which is failing and yes, I agree that the NHS was never envisaged to cope with current demands. And what is the alternative?
Meant confused, sorry guys eyes are gone so going to rest them...
Thought it was a deliberate mistake. Rather like the idea of being infused, provided I get a choice about what I'm infused with.....!!!!
CDreamer,
Sadly this made me laugh out loud! I quite like to be infused on occasion AF permitting!
But I am also sad that the NHS continues to stay in the 20th century and has not embraced the wonderful technological advantages that are at their fingertips.
The NHS has had a huge input from the private sector on how to run an efficient company/system but they appear to choose not to listen.
Who would credit a large company such as the NHS losing important case notes and test results, it beggars belief !.
Rant over, enjoy your weekend (football, tennis and cycling event, what's not to be happy about?)
Phyl
Haha yes me too ....I agree with Bob patients have to be more proactive in their own health...chase things up..keep chasing things up....I think there is the assumption that your case will be dealt with,but sitting back and moaning about it is not the answer these days....don't wait for something to be missed track it like you would your registered post...get on the blower OK it means more calls for the sec but in the weekly admin tsunami you might alert her/him (yep we got a few men now) to something that's been missed by another department...I do apologize I've just deleted my two posts because I realized they could be construed as whistleblowing...perhaps not but one can't be too careful the NHS has ears...lol
I have found that things get "Overlooked" all too often, but it always is to the detriment of the patients. When I was sitting in a wheelchair with a non-weightbearing leg and a busted kneecap (other leg) I tried to exercise as best I could, but it was hard, especially as I had no idea what I was doing! When they removed the scaffolding from my leg, I was sent home, but nothing was said about my re-mobilisation after 6 months in bed, or a wheelchair. I hired a Private Physio, just to see what I could, and should, not do, and was able to walk, using crutches, by the time I had my next appointment. The surgeon said that she was delighted that the Physiotherapy had made such a difference. I asked "What Physiotherapy?". My calls to the Physios office had led to my being told that the Surgeon had issued an appointment, but not until after my leg had healed (untrue) the Surgeons sec. had told me that the surgeon had approved Physio for me, but not until a year after my discharge from Hospital (untrue) and the surgeon told me that it was in my notes that it should be arranged, and the notes said it had been (but never showed it was only for a years hence!!) .
I am supposed to get Hydrotherapy for the next month -marked URGENT. The Physios tell me that there will be no appointments available for about three months, and I am 6th on the waiting list of Urgent cases. I went to the office, and Apologised to the receptionists, in advance. I explained that I was about to be a Damned Nuisance, and ring Daily for a cancellation, and went on to hat for a few minutes in a friendly manner. They rang me BEFORE I got home, with the first cancellation. It is obviously the squeaky hinge that gets the oil, and I will squeak until they are sick to the back teeth with me, if it gets me the Physio I need NOW!!
Speaking to various people who I know, there seems to be a particular problem with physiotherapy referrals. I'm not sure whether an ageing population has put a strain on the resources or whether there has been an underinvestment in what some see as a non-urgent treatment. It is very short sighted. In the end, lack of mobility causes more problems for the patient and more dependency and expense to the NHS.
I attended cardio rehab classes, starting 6 weeks after my surgery. The idea of attending was put in my mind before I had surgery when I met the nurse taking the class. I am amazed and very grateful that these classes are still funded. It would be all too easy to send patients home with a sheet of exercises.
Going back to the 1970s, physiotherapists used to run exercise classes on the wards for patients recovering from surgery. I think people used to spend longer in hospital then. Now all they seem to do is check that you can walk without falling over and perform simple tasks. Few people seem to get ongoing physiotherapy.
I find it surprising with the amount of technology these days that everything is still all written in hospitals. Surely it would save money in the long run to have a computer system and tablet like technology for each consultant.
It's quite concerning that important referrals get lost. I understand they are stretched and underpaid but being under paid and stress has never stopped me from doing a good job.
They tried that one if you remember the headlines 5-6 yeRs ago, the aim was to get all the records to be accessible, wherever you are. Unfortunately it wasn't possible and after wasting millions and millions the project was stopped and it was back to individual hospitals, all of whom use different platforms and differing programmes so they won't talk to each other. The thing I find surprising though is that my GP can look on his computer, see all my results for the hospital but if the docs in the hospital wNt to see anything there is only the hefty written notes in which they can't find anything?! Works that one out.
Agree with the physio, seems to be the worst resourced dept. I had same lack of help with broken ankle from NHS.
They have cancelled my cardio version that I was due to have on 23rd July due to the fact that I have water retention. I have had this for years and I don't think putting me on a different water tablet will shift it. so I am stuck for now. They sent me a letter saying they would like to see me in the cardiac clinic but never gave me an appointment time or date 
It can be worth putting up an argument. I had my cardioversion scheduled but my INR dipped to 1.9 a few days beforehand. I was initially told that I would have to wait another month and go through a cycle of keeping in range for that period. I insisted that they speak to the consultant and was then advised that I should up my warfarin dose for a few days and then turn up for the procedure. By that time I was in range. Although I was technically slightly more at risk, they agreed to do the procedure.
Do at least ring them as they have not given you a clinic date.
My first cardioversion is on Monday
Seen Cardiologist today - confused!
