Can’t get hold of a consultant

[Cheeseychips]

My friend has been told he has 3-6 months to live. He’s not been told anything further. So we’ve no idea what’s going to happen.

I’ve left voicemails asking his consultant to phone me back (I’m my friend’s next of kin). I’ve emailed too. Likewise, my friend’s done the same.

We just want a meeting to discuss the final stages but can’t get hold of anyone. Any ideas??

[Laura009]

It's a bank holiday weekend. I would expect you to hear back tomorrow. Good luck.

[Cheeseychips in reply to Laura009]

I’ve been trying for about 10 days. Just want to know if there are alternative ways to contact the consultant. Am I doing something wrong?

[AyrshireK]

Is this the same friend who was told they were too well for transplant? What has changed to get this new prognosis.

Has your friend remained abstinent since your last posts.

Katie

[Hidden]

Good morning Cheeseychips,

If you are finding accessing the Consultant difficult, you could perhaps try via your friends GP? They could perhaps access them or offer support and guidance as they will have medical notes and have shared correspondence from them .

Best wishes,

Trust9

[Cheeseychips in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Will run the GP next 😊

[Lam1e]

Oh dear, sounds like the communication has been really poor and your friend needs answers and support. Does your friend have any letters from the Hepatology team? My letters come with who the consultants and nurses are and usually their secretary’s numbers

and certainly at my hospital they are very helpful.

I have also found that often the specialist nurses can explain things better and have more time to spend with you, would that be another option?

I don’t have any other suggest other than pester and be polite with it!

Hope you and your friend get some answers soon🙏

Lesley

[FlyingArrow]

Hello Chesseychips

First I'm so sorry to read about your friend and wish I could jump through somekind of medical loop hole to help or advise you both.

You may find what I'm about to say a little old fashioned with todays IT technology, but you may find that writing a letter directly to your friends GP may be your answer!

Writing a letter gives you the opportunity to detail all of your concerns which your friends GP can digest within a day of you delivering the letter by hand and marking it Private and Confidential! I found also including hospital file number/NHS number,and your contact details clearly marked also stops the letter going adrift.

I trust the above maybe of some help and comfort as it worked for me when I did this once! I receiced a GP call and letter of reply from both GP and consultant who I copied in on.

Finally my thoughts and🙏 are with you both !

Love FlyingArrow x

[Pussycat65]

Try asking to speak to the consultants secretary she could pass on a message for you!

[Cheeseychips in reply to Pussycat65]

Hi, tried that too. She said she’d get the consultant to call back but we’re still waiting. We’ve now left a msg for the GP to call back. Fingers crossed 🤞

[Pussycat65 in reply to Cheeseychips]

I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Hope you get some answers soon!

[Cheeseychips in reply to Pussycat65]

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

You may also want to contact the The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) department at the hospital if you cannot access the consultant. They may be able to organise an appointment and resolve any concerns. Here is the NHS page on PALS.

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...