Back in August last year I had a cardioversion which only lasted for 3 weeks. In October I had a CT coronary angiogram and received the results in December. It showed that I do have some calcification but non flow limiting and otherwise all was okay and that I was being referred to the cardiologist for his opinion on how to manage the AF.
The week prior to the CT I had a pre-appointment where they explained what would happen at the CT and said that their recommendation would be that I have an ablation and that the cardiologist would be in touch to discuss which type of ablation they would recommend and that this would be a telephone conversation. They couldn't say when this call would happen but that it might be before Christmas if I was lucky.
It's now April and I've heard nothing.
The only thing I've heard from the hospital is that on the same day I got the results of the CT scan I also got the results of another test, a 24hr holter, which showed just ectopics. This was dictated, posted and received on the same day as the CT test results. The problem is, I didn't have a 24hr holter and therefore this isn't my test result!
Trying to get in contact with the cardiologist is nigh impossible and I don't know whether I've been forgotten, whether I'm still in the system but their backlog is huge due to covid and the junior doctors strike or whether I've been pushed down the list because they think the holter results are mine.
How long, on average, did you wait for your ablation?
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Peakoverload
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I've tried repeatedly but can never get through to anyone. I tried calling today and all I got was an answerphone message saying that the secretary was on holiday.
Write a recorded letter to the consultant. Keep trying to contact his secretary and don't just leave a message as I know these often go unlistened to. Make sure you tell them that the holter report is not yours. It may be beneficial to speak to your GP about this as he may be able to e mail them but still write your recorded letter and if you have not received a reply from them within 3 weeks of them receiving the recorded letter then write another telling them you intend to talk to the Hospital PALS and complain about your lack of treatment and their lack of communication and mistakes.
We need to be proactive in our care especially since the chaos that has prevailed since the pandemic shows no signs of abating. Even before the pandemic if I have been told I am on a list for a treatment, scans or tests I ask for a copy of the letter sent to/from any hospital departments or to/from my GP to be copied to me so I know the referral has been made. Once I receive the copy of the letter I leave about 3 weeks and then contact the particular department and ask them if they have also received the referral and about how long I would likely have to wait. Referrals and letters do get lost in internal/external post and e mailed referrals or results can be deleted by accident. So we need to check these things.
In my case my ablation (tomorrow!) will be just over 8 months from the nurse specialist follow up after my cardioversion. I got the impression that because I felt much better being back in NSR after permanent AF I was a candidate for ablation, but I'm sure a number of other factors must be taken into account/ determine the way forward and timing.
In your situation I'd write (or ask your GP to write) to the consultant for clarification.
My first three ,(2020/21/22) were all urgent so between a few days and a few weeks. Fourth one is six months and counting, when I called the hospital back in September they said at least eight months plus slippage due to urgently cases and strikes
I would look up the hospital cardiologists, try and find your cardiologist and ask Switchboard to be put through to his secretary. If that doesn't work, call another cardiologist there, or their secretary and leave messages if you have to. If all that fails, get in touch with PALS.
My waiting list for an ablation is 4-6 months. I’m in SE Essex.
I’m in the U.S., but we confront the same issues. It’s easy to fall between the cracks. It’s easy to be seen as a body with an ID number instead of a real person who needs to be listened to and responded to with respect.
Be proactive. I’ve learned I need to do that. Be a squeaky wheel, congenial and polite, but still a squeaky wheel. Just keep at it until your needs get met. Find a way. I see no other choice, and no one else but you is going to do it.
It’s a frustrating and often angrifying process, but necessary. Good luck!
In the Teeside area I was told 3-4 months. If you go further north to Newcastle it would be longer and down south a lot longer from what I have read on this forum
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