lost lung function test referral

[Topgunele]

Hi everyone, wonder if anyone can help me with this please. I was diagnosed with Asthma/COPD overlap in December. I was hospitalised in April due to chest infection. I was told at the time that I had been referred for a full lung function test. I had a follow up respiratory nurse appointment earlier this month and was advised that I should have already had lung function test. They advised they would have this up. As I still heard nothing I contacted the lung function test clinic who advised me that they had not received a referral! So I contacted the respiratory clinic who advised me that the referral was on the system. So I went back to the lung function test clinic who again advised me that they had not received a referral for me. So I went back to the respiratory clinic again and they said they would resend the referral. The lung function clinic has now received the referral but instead of it being dated from April they are only accepting the referral from today and that I will have to wait many months for an appointment! My complaint here is that I am being penalised for an error that has happened within the NHS…….any thoughts on how I should proceed with this please would be grateful, thank you

[Bevvy]

Speak to PALS at the hospital. They can be extremely helpful in sorting things and coming up with fair solutions.

[Topgunele in reply to Bevvy]

Thank you Bevvy. I have just sent an email to PALS. Hopefully this will help 🤞. Thank you again 😊

[AsthmaandLung Administrator in reply to Topgunele]

Good advice- yes speak to the PALS team

nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospita...

[sassy59]

l agree with Bevvy, PALS is your best bet as you’ve been treated unfairly xx

[Topgunele in reply to sassy59]

Thank you sassy59, I’ve emailed PALS so hopefully this will help. It’s so frustrating to be told that I have to go to the bottom of the waiting list when it’s the fault of the hospital

[garshe in reply to sassy59]

What or who is PALS Carole. Love to you and Pete xx.Sheila 💕

[sassy59 in reply to garshe]

Hi Sheila, it’s the Patient Advice Liaison Service who offer support if you have any concerns with treatment etc. within the NHS. Hope that helps.

Love to you too, Carole xxxx❤️🤗🩷

[garshe in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Carole, I hadn't heard of them. You learn something everyday even though I'm 80 yrs young in 2 weeks lol 🤣👍xx.Sheila

[sassy59 in reply to garshe]

Wishing you all the very best and the happiest of birthdays in two weeks time. ❤️

Love Carole xxx🩷

[garshe in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Carole can't believe I'll be 80..I look ok have all my senses no problems with my body or legs just on oxygen 24/7 and I can't accept it. Also I am still breathless on oxygen ,could be anxiety but I hate the cannula and the tank if I need to go out so I stay indoors. Im sure something other than my COPD is causing the breathlessness but no one is listening..Oh well just have to grin and bear it .xxsending love to you both. Xx.Sheila 👍🙏💕

[sassy59 in reply to garshe]

You are remarkable and look amazing. I just wish you could get out more. Grab that oxygen tank and get outside when the sun is shining as you used to love going shopping and being out. I wish you well Sheila and think of you often. XxxCarole 🤗😘❤️

[garshe in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Carole but the tank is too heavy for me .there's no solution unfortunately xxSheila

[sassy59 in reply to garshe]

☹️😔😘❤️ xxx

[leo60 in reply to garshe]

Are our birthdays really so soon!! Have a very happy one Sheila 😊

I have to say I agree with Sassy, try and get out. I know how heavy those cannisters are, but have you tried using a trolley? Or do what I do and have somebody carry it for you! I have said to my granddaughter, Skye, that it is her job when we go out and she is more than happy to do so! I know you had a bad experience the last time, but if you go out for you, then you are totally in charge!

Wishing you all the very best and a Happy Birthday, Laurie xx🌼🌻💐🌻🌼

[garshe in reply to leo60]

I won't rely on anyone I'm too independent so I stay at home. Happy you get out enjoy your trips..xx.Sheila

[katieoxo60 in reply to garshe]

Happy 80th garshe(sheila) and many more to come . Hey average age is 104 now 🙂🍰🎂☕🌺xx

[garshe in reply to katieoxo60]

Not until Auh 5th but thanks xx.Sheila 🥰💞

[katieoxo60 in reply to garshe]

My stepdaughters is that day but shes still under60 . xx

[Alberta56]

Good luck.

[bwp91]

Take it up with PALS -can’t remember what that stands for but they support patients and take up issues on their behalf. There’s usually an office of some sort at the hospital. Google if necessary I guess. B

[Suzie42]

When you cannot get proper answers or as in your case very bad admin, PALS is the way to go. I have used them a few times with good outcomes. I would always phone rather than email though, more personal.

[Oshgosh]

have you considered ringing the consultants secretary.

They always been helpful when I’ve rung them ,usually as a last resort.

Warning,they usually have answer phone on,but do get back.

I rang on Monday and got an email in the afternoon. Hope this helps

[Topgunele in reply to Oshgosh]

That’s another part of the problem, I haven’t been allocated a consultant yet either, no one seems to know anything so hopefully PALS will come back to me soon. It annoys me because stress is the last thing that you need as a patient with lung disease

[Oshgosh in reply to Topgunele]

That’s horrid.

All I can suggest is asking to speak to respiratory secretaries,

Or Pals.

Tell them exactly how you feel. Don’t hide how upset you are xx

[Oshgosh in reply to Topgunele]

sorry,didn’t notice you’ve already contacted PALS.

Perhaps try ringing again

[Poppy2525]

that’s the biggest problem the NHS has the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing and until they sort that out they will have all the problems that they have at the moment, it’s not about more money!

[Topgunele in reply to Poppy2525]

You are so right. When I was admitted to A&E everyone was absolutely amazing, couldn’t fault anyone or anything. My follow up phone call was good too. Then it all seemed to fall apart. No one seems to know where my CT scan results are going, been told 3 different things. I haven’t been allocated a consultant yet and my original lung function test referral has been lost meaning I have been put to bottom of waiting list. Quite stressful to be honest

[SuziElley]

Definitely contact PALS

[Mooka]

While you wait for PALS to get back to you ring lung function and tell them you will accept an appointment at short notice. They always have cancellations as can’t do them when someone has a chest infection. Good luck you’re learning you have to be very proactive in your care.

[Patk1]

Perhaps PALS can help u

[katieoxo60]

Hello Topgunele, I see you have contacted Pals so maybe they might be able to solve more than one problem . I just had 5months before I was assigned a consultant . First things first the respiratory tests are number one. If this does not get a result then seek further advice. Can you go for a test at short notice ? that can get it quicker. They should be able to tell you exactly how long the wait is within reason. Best wishes