45 week wait for a referral

[Desktop54]

So 15 months post HA and living with heart failure, my husband is getting pains in his chest regularly, off he trots to the GP who thinks it is best to refer him back to the cardiologist "just in case" Well this was several weeks ago and after a number of calls, non of which were returned, now he has a letter..... 45 weeks. !!!!! This is at York District Hospital.

I know there is always 999 and A&E but if we went every time he had a pain we would never be away from the place and sitting in a crammed A&E hours on end without proper food and drink only stresses him more and makes his symptoms worse.

This situation is making me anxious and worried. Any suggestions to get him seen quicker? Any recommendations for a private cardiologist in the area (York, Leeds)? Thank you.

[Biggles33]

hi there, I am sorry to hear you are having such a tough time and I completely understand your frustration. I am just starting out with heart issues (suspected myocarditis) and I too have been to york hospital twice, back and forth to the gp and eventually I ended up paying for a private appointment with the cardiologist at the spire. In my opinion it was absolutely worth the £200 as he has referred me for further tests and prescribed medication, something the gp and hospital were not prepared to do. I understand not everyone is able to afford private appointments, however if you can I would definitely suggest paying for the appointment. I would try Nuffield or spire if you are in the york area.

I hope your husband gets sorted and some answers/reassurance. X

[Desktop54 in reply to Biggles33]

Thank you very much for your advice

[MustyK in reply to Biggles33]

H

I am sorry to read about the problems that you are experiencing. Before you explore the private route, may I suggest a few ideas that you can try. I know from experience that they have borne fruit. The suggested idea of contacting the head cardiologist is great : you will go through a secretary and it is helpful to work through the secretary : avoid being critical, just focus on the horrible symptoms, and offer to call her regularly. In some cases, you might get a call for a short notice appointment. Find out from the hospital website who the Governor is for you area. Ask her/him to help. (I am an NHS Governor). Contact PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service ).

Hope that helps

[Desktop54 in reply to MustyK]

Thanks for the suggestions

[am1875 in reply to MustyK]

Excellent advice. Private appointment was as well.

[Hidden]

Find out who the senior cardiologists are at York District Hospital, then find out where they practice in private medicine. Nuffield Health and Spire are large providers who may have hospitals in your area and the NHS cardiologists are likely to be with them. Then select someone and go from there. Fees will probably be of the order of £200-250 for a first appointment, less for any subsequent appointments. Tests will be extra. If you go down this route you will be given adequate time to discuss the issues and ask any questions, but I do suggest you write down everything relevant about the medical history to share with the cardiologist plus any questions to ensure you get the best value out of the money you are spending.

[Desktop54 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much for your advice

[10gingercats]

You can get yourself on to a cancellation list. So if someone drops out the dept. will call you and you slot into their appoint. I have been lucky several times with this but it is a chance that may not come off and you may still end up waiting a long time or it could be next week! Spent the money on a private consultation if you have it to spare

[Desktop54 in reply to 10gingercats]

I didn't think of that. Thank you

[Pitt12345]

4 months after my husbands second heart attack he went to drs with indigestion type pan and was told prob indigestion but will write to cardiologist. We never heard so after another 3 months I contacted his nhs cardiologist who said he needed angiogram but at the time nhs were only doing them if having ha he decided to have it as private patient the following week there was another blockage at the start of his previous stent - told he was lucky and put in the largest stent they have. I only say this to encourage if you are able to get seen privately . Wrong I know but so glad we went ahead . Wishing your husband well

[Eddie64 in reply to Pitt12345]

how do I go private as I’ve been having chest pains back pains numbness in my left thumb and fingers and pains down my left arm for 4 months now I’ve been to ae 17 times everything comes back ok they have put me on the list as emergency that was 3 months ago and I’m still waiting I’m also worried sick don’t know where to turn

[Catkin-blake in reply to Eddie64]

It’s easier than you think, look on the web at your local Nuffield or spire to see who is a practicing cardiologist there,, (do a check to see if they are a local nhs cardiologist) and will usually be either a phone no or email to book an apptmt. You may need to get your gp towrite/email a private referral letter to them , but you can usually book the apptmt in the meanwhile. Go for one who is also at your nhs hospital as once they have seen you they may transfer you to their nhs list for follow ups and further treatments. For any meds they will write to your gp recommending the go prescribes these meds, so you can have them through the nhs rather than pay the private price of meds if you don’t have private med insurance. Hope that helps

[Eddie64 in reply to Catkin-blake]

thank you

[Desktop54 in reply to Pitt12345]

Thanks for the advice

[Tay99]

Hi yes Dr sanjay Gupta you can see all his video's on you tube he's brilliant and he is at York hospital best of the best

[Desktop54 in reply to Tay99]

Yes I saw him on the Internet. Thanks for the recommendation

[Tangalle]

Hello Desktop54

I can thoroughly recommend Dr Sanjay Gupta, York Cardiology. I saw him last year and intend to again this year. He is extremely knowledgeable, listens , is empathetic and kind and explains things very clearly. I felt really cared for following a very distressing time with an NHS consultant. For me going private was absolutely the right thing to do. Good luck and best wishes.

[Desktop54 in reply to Tangalle]

Thank you

[cappachina]

Not surprised at York

[Beaududley]

Your gp should be able to help they will probably have to write a referral letter anyway.

[Prada47]

Hello

Did you not get referred to a Heart Failure Clinic/Nurse when HF was diagnosed ?

I know if I need anything checking I can phone the Heart Nurse and she will either see me or refer to A+E. When she referred me to A+E when I got there I just walked in with no waiting, as she had phoned and told them to expect me. Sometimes the NHS works other times it leaves so much to be desired.

Regards

[Desktop54 in reply to Prada47]

He was discharged from cardiology and HF nurses.

[Esentepe]

I am YDH I paid privately to see Dr Hayes at the Nuffield York due to very long waiting lists. He is one of the more senior cardiologists at York District

[Heather1957 in reply to Esentepe]

What is YDH? It may be obvious but sorry.

[Esentepe in reply to Heather1957]

Apologies, York District Hospital.

[Heather1957 in reply to Esentepe]

Thanks I'm in South Wales so no idea.

[Esentepe in reply to Heather1957]

My error I was only thinking about desktop and knew they would know the abbreviation. But of course I should have considered everyone reading posts, will make sure to avoid abbreviations in the future. Thanks for highlighting

[Desktop54 in reply to Esentepe]

Thank you

[Desktop54]

UPDATE.... We have paid privately and seen a cardiologist (saving 45 weeks). He has said more tests are required, including a stress test however the NHS waiting list for that is another 26 weeks, so we have decided to pay for those doing privately as well. So if we had not been able to pay we would have had a wait of at least 71 weeks and who knows what could happen in that time, let alone the worry of being on a waiting list. I am just happy that we are fortunate enough to be able to self fund.

[TasteLessFood4Life]

If you can afford it, I would try and go private. It will give you instant results and piece of mind.

NHS not the best at prevention and early detection sadly. It ranks very low in that regard. 45 weeks is just a joke and they are playing with people lives, given the medical history in your case.