6 monthly review.

[0range5520]

Hi,

I’ve just got a little quandary. I had my 6 monthly US scan 4 weeks ago with bloods taken at my Drs. However, I’ve still not received any results. As far as I’m aware the consultant operates a “virtual appointment” system. I checked with my Drs about the blood test and they said all results would be sent to the consultant so they don’t have them, neither does anything appear on the NHS app. After each test I’ve had to chase the consultant’s secretary, then I receive a letter summerizing everything a month after that. All in all about 3 months after scan.

I thought I would just as the question as to other experiences about getting results after 6 monthly review. Thinking about making the usual call to the secretary, but feel I’m being a nuisance asking for something that isn’t sent automatically. Is this the norm. I was diagnosed with cirrhosis December 2022.

[Coligate123]

Hi Orange 5520

[Coligate123]

Hi Orange 5520 , I totally agree to get the results of Liver Scan and blood tests that we have at the six monthly procedure is such a struggle. The doctors receptionist tell me they have not received them I try like you on NHS website. The Liver nurse says I’ll send you them . Nothing arrived , another phone call , a month after that is when I received the scan results. In the meantime I had called at doctors and it appears yes they had had them all the time…. still waiting for blood test results .Liver nurse had said well would you understand the blood results!! Well yes I would!! I have NASH CIRRHOSIS and nothing amiss with my brain. Pat

[Lurcherliver]

I agree. I email the hepatic team secretary who has to ask the permission of the hepatic nurse, then she emails them. The hepatic nurse advised I should be able to see them on the nhs app and I would need a code from my GP. I already have the code and they dont appear on the app. I asked my GP surgery and they said they don’t get the resultst from the hospital so they can’t see them either . I would also like to track mine but I’ll just have to keep emailing the team secretary for them

[Starlight79]

Has your hospital got a separate app? My blood tests never show on the NHS app but the hospital I attend for Hepatolgy has a medical app all results are uploaded onto there instead. Might be worth checking with the secretary?

[Lantana100]

we usually only get my husbands 6 monthly scan and blood test results a few weeks before his next scan is due!!! And that’s when our GP usually gets them as well. I agree - it’s a real pain having to hassle consultants’ secretaries for results and I also feel I’m being a nuisance. Why they don’t send the results out at a reasonable time post scan/blood tests I’ve no idea!!

[Kristian]

That's pretty typical to be honest. Lots of hospitals now have various apps or systems where you can access things like test results online, but not all do and not all departments do. But it is now much more common to have that facility. However, those systems rarely, in my experience never, include scan results / reports of any kind.

I usually get copies of letters sent to my gp from the hospital. It can though take a while for those to come through. It many cases it can be a few months, especially if everything looks pretty similar to the last one. In many cases I just ask at the next physical clinic, lol.

[Readlots]

Hi, Not all hospitals use the NHS ap and there are different systems for sharing and uploading results. In my area the hospital and GP use the NHS Ap but it only seems to be GP secretaries that upload it. They get hundreds of emails from the hospital with patient results which they have to open and then save onto the patients record with coding so it takes a while.

What I’ve done is asked to be copied in on all correspondence so I get a copy of the letters to my GP. I also get my blood test forms from my GP not the liver consultant. That way the results go straight to my GP and get uploaded to the NHS ap quicker. This obviously only works for routine bloods, mot any extras that the consultant orders.

It won’t help for your current situation but might help in the future.

[Robert1220]

Good morning, I have NASH cirrhosis too. I am of the opinion is no news is good news. It is a recent revelations for me as, when I was diagnosed initially, it took over my life until it was all I thought about every waking moment. How long would I live etc. Googled until my death was imminent. Wasting time and dragging me down. So, I try and eat healthily, I don't drink alcohol but I want to live my life, not in fear of what may come, but just to live a 'normal' life. So that's why I have adopted this attitude. I leave my liver issues in the hands of my liver team who, Im sure, will contact me immediately if there is ever a problem after my 6 monthly check ups. I know it's easier said than done but I really just think about it as living with a condition and not a death sentence. Take care.