Advice please

[Quiltingqueen]

Good morning everyone, I hope you are all well.I'm hoping for some advice about my appointment at Southend Hospital that was denied/refused because of an ECG that was not clear.

My GP referred me last September to see Consultant cardiologist Dr Thomas Keeble as following my MINOCA heart attack 2 years ago, I'm still experiencing chest pains, and hopefully he could help, as so few cardiologist specialise in this sort of heart attack. He sent a covering letter, and an ECG report.

I did access my records whilst waiting for an appointment and and saw that the ECG was poor, but not any word about cancelling my appointment request, to either myself or my GP. I did go back to my GP and raise a concern about this, but his response was that as a covering letter had gone in, it wasn't a problem. Well it appears there is.

Should the patient be penalised because of a poor ECG that could have quite easily been done again at the appointment, or am I being unreasonable to expect this.

I was never given an explanation as to why I had this MINOCA heart attack, so it was an opportunity to discuss it with Dr Keeble.

I'm really upset, but mostly angry about this, so much so that I called my GP about it, and told him not to bother, I was writing to the hospital to complain.

What would you do ? Thank you for baring with me xx

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

7I am inwardly screaming with frustration with you!

It does sound as though you have been caught up with the wonder of NHS bureaucracy. I too would be upset and angry if this happened to me.

I have been embroiled in having to try and sort out my repeatedly rescheduled botox treatments, which I have finally managed.

I suggest you contact the Patient Advisory Liaison Service PALS of the hospital and complain.

The doctor you mention is well known to have a particular interest and knowledge in the causes of Myocardial Infarction non obstructive coronary arteries MINOCA, ischaemia/ angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA/ANOCA.

Another request you can make is that you would like to take part in research. Dr K is involved in research and refusing your referral is denying your opportunity to take part in research.

Can you ask your GP to refer you to see Dr K at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre at Basildon rather than Southend?

Good luck!

[Quiltingqueen in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you Milkfairy. I did try to see if I could see Dr Keeble at Basildon hospital but was told he only dies surgery there.I appreciate your response, thank you xx

[rosyG]

I had a MINOCA on 7th January and insisted on a CMR as that scan helps to find the cause- which is important for the treatment I don't know if having a CMR now will show up in the same way as you will have healed a lot -but worth considering

[Quiltingqueen in reply to rosyG]

Thank you for your response. I too think it might be a bit late in the day for this test. If I had been more informed when I initially had my MINOCA I definitely would have insisted that they find out. If I get an appointment with Dr Thomas Keeble I will mention this to him. Thank you again.Did you get a diagnosis for your MINOCA after having this CMR scan?

[rosyG]

yes it was very comprehensive and suggested caused by plaque embolisation