Got my referral letter today. Had a choice from four local hospitals. I tried to book an appointment but there are no available appointments at any of the four and it also said it could take up to 25 weeks when an appointment becomes available.
Has anybody had the same issue?
That’s crazy isn’t it, but I guess a sign of the times. It’s such a frustrating time!!!!
I just keep getting discharged from thoracic outpatients, despite my GP referring me back! 😡
It’s worth asking if you can go on the cancellation list...only thing is it will be last minute.
It could be no different to pre covid where you'd maybe get an appointment without too much wait but you'd already had to wait a few months til the letter came?
If you've had to wait a long time for the letter and now another 25 weeks, I'd go along with that just being how it is unfortunately. I imagine at the moment they've got appointments to catch up on that were supposed to happen end of March onwards, so anything new for now (or in fact anything that had been scheduled for now some while back) also gets put back.
Referrals can take forever even in normal life. It took me a year on a waiting list to get to allergy clinic.
I went on a resp waiting list for a local hosp when moving house and already under both local and tertiary elsewhere, I joined the list in June, I moved again in Dec, I got no first appt letter (had recent admissions over he summer but no clinic appt at that hosp as on waiting list...).
With COVID, I saw my con in Jan, which a ‘follow up appt in 3 months’ plan. That appt is happening this coming Friday... (actually I think I’ve been prioritised due to multiple admissions (each with their own ‘urgent follow up within 2 months’) and my spec hosp needing info etc so they can work out a plan...)
The wait times can be long normally, but I expect COVID has made them stupidly long. If it’s something you feel needs urgent help then push to go on the cancellation list, which will be shorter however will also mean appts at short notice
Hope this helps
I had a referral letter in March for one hospital, also no appointments available, but I did have a telephone consultation but have been informed that until the pandemic is over or I get seriously ill it’s more likely I will not get a hospital appointment until next year at the earliest, making that a year and a half since I’ve been referred.
Oh well 🤞this pandemic, which is more important than anything from what we’re being told, will subside enough for yourself and myself to get the appointments we need.
Best wishes to you xx
Call and ask to speak to the consultants secretary. They can add you to a clinic if the need is urgent or speak with consultant for advice. Once referred you must either be seen or given advice within 18 weeks (pathway length for first appointment) or it is a breach and hospitals are penalised financially for this
Yes have heard that before.
I usually have resp OPD appointments at local hospital every 3 months ,now all done over the phone.
Neighbour has had referral for pain clinic treatment put back multiple times.
Do hope that you get sorted soon.
I was referred pre-Covid, and even then was given an appointment for lung function tests in March and clinic date in August (no choice of hospital). Just managed to have tests before lockdown, and the only surprise was that the clinic only moved by a day or two - but of course phone clinic, not in person. Had more bloods, then a CT scan last week, now waiting for follow up.
I'm waiting for my appointment to see the consultant shouldve seen in July but covid struct and now 9months still waiting.
Also been referred for allergy testing but have to go to Castle Hill hull for it but no appointments only other hospital what does it is Leeds they will be the same .
Like me you probably been put on the appointments waiting list with other people who been referred have to wait for appoint to come free.
Home from Hospital convalescencing
Incorrect Hospital Records
4 emergency hospital trips since February 
In hospital again over my Oxygen levels dropping
