usual time to get results after EP appointment

[Wilky57]

I recently saw an EP privately. I had an echocardiogram while I was there and was told, if my heart was ok, I would be given tablets to help with heart rhythm as I am in persistent AF. That was a week ago and I haven’t heard anything since. I emailed the doctor’s secretary yesterday to ask how long a wait I should expect but I didn’t receive a reply. Does anyone have any experience of the usual timings between test and reports? I’ll need to make an appointment with my GP, which is no mean feat, but I’ll need something to show him/talk about. How long do you think is “normal”? My appointment was 7 days ago. Thanks in advance.

[Jalia]

I had an echo done privately , immediately following my cardiologist appt and he was with the cardiac technician as it was being done. I therefore had all the info I needed there and then! I guess I was lucky. Report sent to my surgeon ( in my case) straight away.

I would have expected a report within a few days if I was paying for the test.

[Wilky57 in reply to Jalia]

Thank you. I think I’ll email again tomorrow. I wish I had gone down your route but there you go!

[Wilky57 in reply to Jalia]

Thank you for your reply. I was hoping I would hear quite quickly but never mind. I’m not used to seeing doctors and going to hospital but I’m quickly getting to understand it all!

[Omniscient1]

Presumably your cardiologist will write to your GP as well as you anyway? Do you have the airmid app so you can see what correspondence there is?

[Wilky57 in reply to Omniscient1]

Thank you. Yes. He will write to the GP, I guess but there’s nothing on the NHS app yet. I suppose I was expecting too much but I’ll just have to wait now. Thanks for your advice

[Desanthony in reply to Wilky57]

Usually within days after a private consultation I have had the typewritten report - sometimes before I leave the hospital as everything is done on a tablet and just printed. Certainly the consultant asking for the procedure has usually already talked me through the results if he is actually in attendance at that time. I would telephone and actually speak to someone. Ring the private hospital where you saw the consultant and ask them as well.

[Omniscient1 in reply to Wilky57]

Hi, these things take an age for sure. Just to be specific, I have the NHS app, but also the airmid app, which gives you more info, also using your NHS details and NHS login. Not that it will solve your immediate problem of there being nothing to look at yet.

[Desanthony in reply to Omniscient1]

I think around about Easter I did all the things to get NHS app in Wales - our surgery had only signed onto it a week before. Wait 10 days for confirmation e mail they said. Still waiting! I am checking spam every day for an e mail from them and still haven't had the email! Don't know whether to start again or what! My wife was waiting for me to sign on and see how it worked and then she would.

[Omniscient1 in reply to Desanthony]

Worth persevering with, I thought my surgery would push back but the data has been on the app for about 2 years. But as per I recommend the airmid, once you've got the actual NHS app going

[Desanthony in reply to Omniscient1]

Yes going to try again sometime over the next few days. Maybe this time I will get my wife to see if she can sign on. I had a brief medical history sent to my consultant when I went for a colonoscopy and a lot of it is still wrong so I would like to have a look through my stuff on line and list all that is wrong and try and get it put right. Don't know how I'll fare with that?

[Wilky57 in reply to Omniscient1]

I have never heard of the app but I will look in to it now. Thank you so much.

[ozziebob]

Good advice from Desanthony re private procedures.

As the echocardiogram report will usually be written immediately following the procedure, such delays in "getting sight" of it are very frustrating for the patient. As a private patient I would expect much better for you, but as an NHS patient I am still waiting 3 months after my procedure to see my report, and as that procedure included a first examination of a known and potentially dangerous atrial septal aneurysm, you might think some medic somewhere might consider that the patient (me) might be interested in getting these results sooner rather than later. But apparently not! Perhaps 77 is too old for ASA intervention anyway (unless an emergency, this does seem to be the case), so no rush needed? Doh!

I can imagine, in my case, a review of the report first by a more senior cardiologist might be required, plus probably a first sighting by my GP, but 3 months and still waiting does seem a lot of Admin time(?). And despite multiple eConsults to my Surgery inquiring about it's absence from my Health Record in the NHS App, still nothing.

But I think you will be more successful. Good luck.

[Wilky57 in reply to ozziebob]

I’m so sorry to hear that. You really have been through the mill. I didn’t want to go down the private route but there is such a long waiting list to be seen at our local hospital. I hope you hear soon and it’s good news.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

About a week.

Once your Clinic GP has a copy do insist on a copy. Last time I got a short version and then asked for the long as well to compare with first.

Keep ringing your GP Clinic.

cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)

[Wilky57 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thanks for your advice. I have phoned and spoken to the doctor’s secretary and it’s going to be sorted for Monday. It’s all very new to me but, at 67, I do seem to be growing up and getting in the real world!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Wilky57]

Hi

Just last month I complained about the new Nurse Practitioner.

My 4th Scan Ultra-Sound for post thyroidectomy and lymphs taken for cancer.

I requested a copy of letter from my Surgeon. I had an Alert. But it's coded and Patients can't read them.

Through the Receptionist I got told "we are 3rd party! You should get your copy through hospital".

I blew up. I wrote a letter of complaint. Last week I finally I got a call from Head of my Clinic, a Dr ringing me. He apologised.

Since then I get my clinic letters emailed to me. The actual copy sent by my Surgeon comes 9 days later in the post. Too date for what is happening NOW.

I had a CT Scan. Then on those results advised of an Auckland Hospital RAI Treatment for Scan. No thyroxin for 3 weeks and on a Low Iodine Diet.

But starting on the above regime my Surgeon cancelled it and changed it to a PET/CT scan at my Base Hospital. 2 hours drive each way instead of 4 hours drive each way.

Set up with accommodation it worked out well.

Always set up that all Clinical Letters are copied to you.

If you want them earlier ask your Clinic for an emailed copy.

You will learn that you will need to follow up with everything, appointments, biopsies, surgery, specialist appointments. Everything.

My January Thyroidectomy became February as my file was OUT in circulation because Surgeon wanted a check on my Voicebox before the operation.

Unfortunately that is the way. You are the CEO of your health and as it needs attention as medical conditions show.

cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)

[Wilky57 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thank you so much for your advice. I hope you are feeling well now. You have had it so tough. You are right about about my being in charge of my own health. I am learning so much since my diagnosis. Good luck with your future appointments and treatments.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Wilky57]

Hi

Yes I am waiting for response from my surgeon but I know he is operating from Wed to Friday.

He may want a date for biopsy and surgery.

Cheri Joy. 75 (NZ)