I understand Dr Hammonds who held a Clinic at Southampton Hospital has retired and, as yet, no replacement has been appointed. Due to patient transport not turning up (first time) for my annual appointment last November, it is now eighteen months since I have seen a Doctor. Is anyone else experiencing this difficulty at Southampton?
Winch
Yes I have had a similar experience. I am in Portsmouth, but I do believe my consultant works at Southampton. I have just had my appointment cancelled for the fourth time and rescheduled a few months later. I have not seen the consultant for at least 18 months.
I’m sorry to hear of your problems in Southampton but it seems to be all over although mine isn’t in Southampton but in Leeds LGI i last had a face to face 3 years ago and was waiting for the results of a genetic test that had been done a year earlier but was told they “wernt completed”!! How is that possible And last year I was a given a telephone appointment that was a month late and this years telephone appt never occurred. Trying to get thru to the neurologist is impossible all I get told is “I’ll get a message to him” and nothing happens. Ive had blood clots and a serious broken elbow after a fall that needed surgery and incapacitated me for almost six months. I.m now having more balance and swallowing problems but I feel that I’ve just been forgotten. Ive since moved to a bungalow for safety and would like to change hospitals but a not sure if I can. He did manage to contact the dvla when my restricted licence came up for review and that was quite prompt cos when it was last reviewed it took over 6 months because of all the gibberish they were writing . It was actually laughable some of the comments . “Do you ever fall over whilst driving” Eh I fall over when stood up not sitting down” I was going to put a very sarcastic reply but thought better of it.
I dont know if complaining to PALS would have any effect . I not sure if they deal with these kind of problems. I feel as if I don’t exist anymore.
I hope you get some help
I'm sorry to hear of your problems and I hope you are successful in seeing someone soon. I too, had a fall in October 2021, resulting in a broken wrist and it was whilst having physio that I fell and broke my hip at the end of March last year. It was a complex break requiring surgery and a titanium rod inserted in my thigh and six weeks before I could return home. I still have to use a frame indoors and a wheelchair outdoors. It is for this reason I was anxious to see my Neurologist.
Thank you for your reply.
Yes, you ca n, as far as I know change hospital. I think I was referred through my then GP to Sheffield rather than the local hospital.
I am in Warwickshire and usually had a neurology appointment every 18months. That should have been November/December time but as yet nothing. Either due to my age (70+) I have been taken off the list or there is a waiting list backlog. However I rang the GP's surgery and expressed my concern and have been given a direct line tel. no. to chase it up. Not hopeful but nothing ventured nothing gained. I suspect this is a national problem.
I hope you have success on the telephone .
I have been going to Dr Hammams clinic for 8 years thougb I usually I am seen by a registrar on his behalf. I only saw him for my first visit and thereafter I had a telephone conversation durinv the lockdown. I always received an appointment for the next year, only a few days after each of my annual visits.Coincidentally, just yesterday I received a letter changing my upcoming June appt but it was only a week later.
Consequently, I am quite confident that I'll get the same attention as before.
Derek.
Further to my post above in which I sang the praises of the Southampton Clinic, just afterwards I had another letter from them, cancelling my appointment. I wrote to them seeking clarification - which appointment was cancelled, or indeed both? Yesterday I had a telephone call from them, apologising for the confusion and confirming that my new date of Wednesday 21st June still stood. The caller could not tell me who I'd be seeing and, as yet, Dr Hammams replacement had not been found. He said that anyone having problems being seen at Southampton could telephone to sort it out. Rather than quote the phone number on this forum, should anyone need it they can write to me on here & I will send it on.
Today I attended the Neurology Clinic at Southampton General Hospital - early start, my appointment was 9.00 a,m, and in view of traffic and having to pick up another patient, Patient Transport came for me at 7,20 a.m.
It was worth it, I was seen by the Neurology Doctor who confirmed Dr Hammans has retired. He was extremely nice and I had a thorough one hour appointment. A Physiotherapist was also in attendance. I hope you are reassured by my comment.
Winch
Appalling Outpatients Appointment
Hospital appointment 
Neur appointment 
Happy New Year 2016
Ataxia centre Appointment
