Difficulty in getting seen by cardio

[Davidc1075]

Difficulty getting a cardio appointment, I have been referred to a cardiologist after being diagnosed with AF. That was in Feb 21 my appointment for 13 June 2022 has now been cancelled. How are you guys getting treatment or is it just a post code lottery being in Bedfordshire ?

[10gingercats]

I think it does depend on where you live. However, you can help yourself by getting on the cardiology cancellation list at the hospital where you are to be seen.People do drop off the list,change their mind, go on holiday etc. and you can then slip into that slot.You may only get a couple of hours notice or if you are lucky it could be a day.Also, you can ring the dept., from time to time to check where you are on the list.People do move and the hospital will be glad not to waste that space.

[Davidc1075 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks didn't think of that

[Hidden]

Same for me. Felt so bad I eventually paid private. Seen in 48 hours so set the ball rolling for further treatment on NHS. Morally wrong but no choice

[Davidc1075 in reply to Hidden]

That's what I have done too and now the consultant has referred me back to the NHS for a Cardioversion as I couldn't afford that privately. I just cant believe the waiting times.

[BobbyB1962]

That sounds ridiculous! I'd get on to the cardiologist's secretary, that's what I did and got an appointment within a month. Maybe it is a postcode lottery but to have to wait over a year is unacceptable.

[Rslejc]

I chased the booking secretary and she gave me a cancellation for my angiogram. Only had telephone appointments for cardiologist. The secretaries are helpful. Best wishes.

[richard_jw]

That sort of delay is not acceptable. Initially, I would phone the cardiologists secretary. I have found them very helpful. AF needs to be treated, because there can be consequences if it is not.

[seniorita]

I started getting episodes of AF in Feb this year, though I didn't know what it was. In August I had 3 ambulance trips to A&E in 10 days and was diagnosed with AF. Given meds, more episodes, constantly asked what my cardiologist said, spoke to my GP who said AF is usually managed by GPs, but as I'm symptomatic I have now been referred for 24 hr tape monitoring service.

[juanitamc]

I hope your luckier than me David..... I am still waiting for a phone call from my cardiologist secretary since May now.... I keep leaving messages on her answer machine and never calls back, so now I have written to PALS at the hospital complaining.I'm waiting for the outcome. I am on the borders of Middlesex & Bucks, so I think it's not just a certain area! All the best

[Davidc1075 in reply to juanitamc]

Sorry to hear that it does really seem to be a health lottery Shame we dont get entered into.the national lottery the if we won we could go private

[ETHEL103]

Good Lord I thought it bad where we live. Our wait is also 30 weeks tho I got mine through in 28.Have to say I used my pension and went private for 2 cardio and 1 ep. Cost a bit but I thought why not?

[mathematics]

My husband was down to see a cardiologist urgently. We rang up to find out where he was on the list only to be told they were not seeing people and he had a wait of 14 months. We then paid private and he has just had a heart scan and is waiting for an angiogram on the nhs but with a different health board. Apparently where we live due to Covid the waiting times are ridiculous, not due to the cardiologists who want to see people but due to hospital management.

[Callista]

This is not just down to COVID. I had similar problems in getting my cardiologist to respond in May 2019. No response to GP requests or my phone calls to secretary who was never there, off sick or on leave, desperate emails were also Ignored. Finally got treatment at another hospital in October by waiting 8 hours in A & E and refusing to go home when they said they could not help me.I did make a formal complaint and they admitted failings after a 2 year wait for a decision.

I suggest you persist and perhaps ask your GP to refer you to another hospital. It is a dreadful situation especially when your condition is deteriorating and no one will help. You have my sympathy, good luck as you will need it