Might have asked this before…..

[r1chBr]

So, I’m 56 yo now, and had an interesting experience about 7 years ago where I had two angiograms and a partial angioplasty, where I had a severe reaction to the contrast dye.

I still had issues and as a result I had a CABG in 2016. Since then, I’ve had tablets because I’ve struggled with hills and longer, more strenuous walks.

Anyway, two simple questions that I’d like some thoughts on.

1. According to one of the cardiologists when I’ve been back previously, I don’t have any issues. I struggle to understand that with having ongoing difficulties when I’m doing things. Have others experienced angina and what appears to be heart related issues (dizziness, arm ache, etc.) even though they’ve had a CABG? I don’t trust Doctors any more because it feels to me that everything is trial and error rather than precision science!!

2. Also, though, I’ve recently gone back for a new referral as things seem to be worse than they have been. I’ve self referred now to the hospital (from the doctors) and the website has said there are no appointments. I’m overdue on it and having phoned the cardiology clinic, been told that it will be up to six months. Is this typical or just Derbyshire? Any advice?

Sorry about the long story!! Just wanted to give some context!

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Typical of Derbyshire I would say we are not doing well here at all I am in that area

All I can say is keep pushing your Doctor and keep phoning them up let them know you will be available for any cancellation appointments will they make sure you are on that list to

Hope you get an appointment soon x

[Digger0]

Which end of Derbyshire are you? I'm in the west side and now get seen at the Liverpool Chest and Heart Hospital. This was via Stepping Hill, and MRI. If you are nearer Chesterfield ask to go to Sheffield.

[r1chBr in reply to Digger0]

No, I’m lower unfortunately in Erewash. So, it’s either Derby or Nottingham for me. I find it hard to understand why the Local Health Authorities don’t utilise the wider health authority care of other areas or private healthcare if they have the capabilities and capacity. That would help lower the waiting lists….

[Digger0 in reply to r1chBr]

"If you’re referred for consultant-led treatment, or to a mental health professional, you can:

decide which provider you would like to receive care from as an outpatient

choose the clinical team who will be in charge of your care within that provider organisation

These choices apply to both physical and mental health, but only apply at the point of referral (from your GP, dentist or optometrist) to providers that have an NHS contract to provide the service you need. For a service to be available for you to choose, for physical health referrals, the service must be led by a consultant who has overall responsibility and in mental health the service must be led by a consultant or mental health professional. Normally the same provider you have chosen for your first outpatient appointment will also go on to provide the rest of your treatment. You can find more information on NHS services for physical and mental health on the NHS website.

We’re asking all referrers to ensure they shortlist on average 5 choices from which the patient may choose, where this is practicable, clinically appropriate and preferred by the patient.

Are these legal rights?

Yes, but there are circumstances in which you may not choose. These are set out below.

When you may not have a choice

You do not have a legal right to choose where your outpatient appointment will take place if you are:

already receiving care and treatment for the condition for which you’re being referred and this is an onward referral

using urgent, emergency or crisis services

in need of emergency or urgent treatment, such as cancer services where you must be seen in a maximum waiting time of 2 weeks

a prisoner, on temporary release from prison, or detained in ‘other prescribed accommodation’ (such as a court, secure children’s home, secure training centre, an immigration removal centre or a young offender’s institution)

someone who is held in a hospital setting under the Mental Health Act 1983

a serving member of the armed forces

using maternity services (see section 5, ‘Choosing maternity services’, for more detail)

From gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Honeybee1961]

Yes, I have had continued angina after CABG. I had to fight to get referred back to cardiology and after eventually having a cardiac MRI ( the best procedure to check for blockages, I thankfully I ended up under the care of a sympathetic female cardiologist), it transpired that I needed stents in an artery that had not been grafted during my CABG. Definitely persist in getting referred back. I don’t live in Derbyshire, but I have been experiencing more symptoms recently and have been told that the wait for referral back to cardiology is one year!

[r1chBr in reply to Honeybee1961]

Thank you Honeybee1961. Sounds like it’s a postcode lottery for referral durations but I still have angina, certainly (I’ve got GTN for that and have nitrate tablets too). Guess I’ll just have to keep pressing them.

[Glynof]

I tried the doctor route and they were completely useless so I walked into Morth tees hospital A&E who were fantastic they said you should always go there as a GP would only refer to them anyway. Within 1hour I received two Ecg,s 2 sets of bloods and a chest x-ray. A specialist then prescribed statins, and various other tablets for Angina with further referral for angiogram etc. 3 months on I am happy to say the NHS were nothing more than fantastic having put me on a quick call list and following a call last Wednesday in the middle of golf I was invited to attend James Cook hospital the next day on Thursday. I am now recovering from a stent ,what's more they discovered a thrombus (blood clot) during the procedure which I was later told could easily have caused a heart attack. So please go over the head of anyone, walk into any hospital anywhere and get checked out.