Cardiologist secretary : Rang the... - British Heart Fou...

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Cardiologist secretary

Gooner1947 profile image
17 Replies

Rang the secretary of the cardiologist on Monday. Left message on answerphone.

She rang me back this morning. The cardiologist is on call for two weeks and doesn't call into office. But she assured me that she has emailed him my concerns re when coronary angiogram might be done. She said he definitely picks up his emails.

She then rang me again after speaking with Cardiologist and told me to contact her once I receive a confirmation letter of appointment for angiogram.

There's currently a 4 month waiting list. I went on list 6th August.

What baffles me now is why I need to ring once an appointment received.

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Gooner1947 profile image
Gooner1947
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17 Replies
SandraLlew profile image
SandraLlew

I hope that it is because she is actively tracking your case to ensure that it gets done on time. This worked for me, the secretaries often acted as liaison officers; especially between services/departments. Make a note in your diary, if you have not got an appointment by the due date ring her again.

You are already almost half way through the waiting time, is this the first appointment with the surgeon?

Gooner1947 profile image
Gooner1947 in reply toSandraLlew

I assume it is. It's the date I hope the coronary angiogram will be carried out. In all honesty I was thinking that the cardiologist would be doing the procedure.

SandraLlew profile image
SandraLlew in reply toGooner1947

There was a cardiologist there for mine because they have to administer drugs and monitor your heart while the CT scan is underway. Are you having the CT angiogram or the femoral artery one?

Gooner1947 profile image
Gooner1947 in reply toSandraLlew

I just don't know. All I remember the cardiologist saying to me is that it's done entering vein in groin. And that it's day surgery

SandraLlew profile image
SandraLlew in reply toGooner1947

That's the type where they pass a wire through the Femoral Artery then, not a thing to worry about, pain free procedure

Silvertail profile image
Silvertail

I'd say it's to confirm you will accept the appointment for that time. We have to confirm appointments for everything, all the time here. They know if you can't keep the appointment they can offer it to someone else.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toSilvertail

I get texts asking me to confirm every appointment online but I 've been waiting to see a cardiologist about the possibility of a CT angiogram since last October - only the possibility mind you. That's after 2 referrals and two GPs chasing it up.

Silvertail profile image
Silvertail in reply toQualipop

We really have to advocate for ourselves these days, don't we?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toSilvertail

I dread being in a position where I need an advocate and don't have one.

Silvertail profile image
Silvertail in reply toQualipop

Same.😒

sandandkev profile image
sandandkev

Perhaps so they can make an appointment for you and discuss results?

Robinface profile image
Robinface

Best of luck! My husband has been waiting since January for his , was supposed to be today but got a call yesterday cancelling it as too many urgent cases needing priority! No new date yet! Hope you hear soon x

bee2 profile image
bee2

Hopefully it's to track your results. I had an angiogram last August. Last week I got a call from my GP surgery to say the had a letter from the Golden Jubilee the GP wanted to discuss with me. For once a telephone consultation was available that afternoon. After worrying all morning he told me they had just recieved the results of that angiogram ! Over a year later!

nextadventure profile image
nextadventure

When you talk to the receptionist again, ask if they can send you some written information about the procedure (angiography) you are to have. Then at least you can feel you have some control in preparing for it...

Gooner1947 profile image
Gooner1947 in reply tonextadventure

Yes I did that earlier this morning. I left a message asking if some sort of print out of the diagnosis and proposed treatment be sent to me so that I can have a better understanding of everything. Hope it's possible. I expect she will ring me and let me know if it's possible.

Straitman profile image
Straitman

Gooner, as someone else born in the vintage year of 1947, I have to say that I do follow with consultants and GPs. Sadly, when it comes to appointments, test results etc, it is easy to ‘fall down the cracks’. As such, if I don’t hear anything in a reasonable time frame (Maximum 4 to 6 weeks) I either call, email or write a letter asking what is happening. Inevitably, this produces a quick response (Generally 3 working days) in every instance.

I’m not critical of the NHS. Rather, I recognise that they are often busy and things slip down the ‘To Do List’. I’ve never been criticised for my approach. In fact, I’ve had apologies. Not that I need any of those. It’s my health and I need to do everything in my power to promote that.

Gooner1947 profile image
Gooner1947 in reply toStraitman

Yes, you're right and very sound advice indeed.I did contact the secretary this morning again yo leave a message requesting a print out of the cardiologist's diagnosis and proposed treatment etc. Just so I can understand it all better. Hope she can do that

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