Catch 22!!

[Turfcare]

How does one see a consultant or specialist when GP says he can't chase up an appointment. I have videos of how bad my breathing is but can't get appointments to let specialists see them! Catch 22?? In the NHS Forth Valley area.

[Kristicats]

Very frustrating. I was referred to a respiratory physician finally after coughing up some blood. Had asked several times before this happened. Don’t give in if you want a referral .

[Hidden]

Chase it yourself. Ring the department or secretary of the consultant you are supposed to have been referred to and ask about your appointmenr. Your GP is just being lazy.

[Turfcare in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your response, however I have tried to chase it up after one of the docs at my practice said I should chase them up myself... Response from Consultant's secretary... You need to get your GP to chase it up. Another doc in the practice tells me that they can't chase up appointments. GOING ROUND IN A CIRCLE! Have the videos but can't get them viewed by anyone... Still going round in a circle. I would put them on here if I could but tbh most folk would find them too disturbing.

[Hidden in reply to Turfcare]

Complain to the practice manager. Make it in writing email or letter. GPs should chase it up.

[Turfcare in reply to Hidden]

Have made an official complaint to health board. However that doesn't help me seeing a consultant.

[Hidden in reply to Turfcare]

Complaining to the practice manager often gets things done. That has been my experience anyway.

[Hidden]

Just going on what you have said....

If you are already on the waiting list to see the consultant, you could always ring the consultants Secretary. Depends how long you have been waiting.

Your personal videos wouldn't carry as much weight as say an xray or ct scan, you could always ask your GP for one of these if you haven't had one recently and if you are having repeated infections that are not responding to antibiotics for instance.

None of us would get a priority slot just based on our breathing. However if you are being seriously compromised because of your breathing you really need to communicate all details to GP and ask for referral to the community matron and or the OT.

You will probably need to search Community Matron for your area, here is example NHS Bath and Somerset information:

bathneshealthandcare.nhs.uk...

And this link, information referencing OT

nhs.uk/conditions/occupatio...

If your GP has only recently referred you he won't want to chase anything up unless several months have gone by, dependent on how bad you are.

Hope you get some success for your situation.

Don't hesitate to call 111 or emergency if your situation deteriorates rapidly.

nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-...

Definitely let your doctor know asap if you do cough up any blood.

Take good care

[Turfcare in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your response. Not sure what part of the country you are in, however it doesn't seem to work like that here. Been on the waiting list since March but its down as a 'routine` so could still take months. It must be great to be able to go to doc and ask for a CT scan. As I said in one of the other replies. I would post one if the videos here if I could but I suspect that they would be too disturbing for most folk to see, and that probably includes yourself.

[Hidden in reply to Turfcare]

I am speaking from years of experience the info I've listed above are the action you can take if you so wish.

The last time I was really ill and not responding to treatment over 4 months, the doc would not give me a referral to consultant, but referred me for a CT scan that is what got me to the consultant, the results proving more lung damage and an additional lung diagnosis.

So you are already referred and on the waiting list, marked as routine, is going to take longer. As suggested give the secretary a call to communicate that you've been waiting since March and communicate your current situation, ask can you be put forward for any cancellation if you are happy to attend at short notice, this is another thing I have done in the past.

Good luck hope you get to see the consultant soon.

Take good care.

[Sops in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I took the plunge and rang the respiratory department of my hospital, explained that I had been transferred to a new consultant but only knew his name, and could not contact my GP, had used my rescue pack to negative result and was worried about my breathing. Later that day my new consultant contacted me and was so lovely, he prescribed stronger meds, and I said how am I to get these, he said he was prescribing as we spoke and asked if someone could collect from the hospital straight away, I said that as I lived alone that would be me, he told me a quick route to the pharmacy, the prescription was waiting and carefully explained to me by a nurse, and I am to resume my Azithromycin on completion. Am so grateful that someone listened. Try and sort other problems next, thank you so much for your help and support,

[Hidden in reply to Sops]

Wonderful so glad you had such a good response. It makes a world of difference, so glad to hear of your experience, thank you for sharing with us. X Hope u r soon well on the road to feeling better.

[Sops in reply to Hidden]

Thsnk you, going to tackle gall bladder advice next,

[Izb1 in reply to Sops]

So glad you have been seen to and the consultant took you seriously, sounds like you have a good one there, terrible that we have to do take things into our own hands nowadays. Hope you feel better soon x

[Sops in reply to Izb1]

Thank you, just need gall bladder appointment, worried about this one,

[Izb1 in reply to Sops]

I had a large lipoma sat on top of mine and had that out with a local but the gall stone was quite large so they removed the gall bladder in 2019 and I was fine, dont worry x

[Mavary in reply to Sops]

Glad you are all sorted.

[Sops in reply to Mavary]

Getting rhere thank you.

[Ria54]

Hi I was referred to Respiratory Consultant almost 6 years ago and it took almost 9 months to get my first appointment. With the current Covid situation I am afraid it may be even longer now which is awful for people who are unwell and need seen. Hope you get an appointment soon.

[Mavary]

If you are really bad I would get yourself to A&E where you can be assessed.