Colonoscopy still waiting

[Docksgirl]

I am really fed up. I was referred by my surgery because of a positive fit test. A two week pathway. Within a couple of days got a call from the hospital and answered their questions. Then a week later I had a CT scan. A phone call came re the colonoscopy . As I am on blood thinners she said I would hear the following week. This was the 21st January, never heard anything so last Friday I phoned the hospital. Apparently they had my paperwork but it hadn’t been passed to the doctor to examine before going to the endoscopy dept. Many apologies and I would definitely hear this week. Still not heard , tried to phone today but no one there to answer phones. Had to leave two messages. I can’t believe no one in the colorectal dept. Still awaiting call back. My anxiety is through the roof. Imagining all sorts. Just want to know what is wrong. Will phone again Monday but what do you do to be heard. Has anyone had the same experience.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Docksgirl,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. And wow, very sorry you are having to deal with this situation. I can feel your frustration and it's terrible for this to be driving your anxiety. This is completely unacceptable.

You had a CT scan that triggered the need for a colonoscopy. You are doing the right thing, but it looks like the hospital is not getting things done. You definitely need to make this happen.

I would contact your doctor's office and have them express the issues to the hospital. I don't know what options are available where you live, but perhaps you and your doctor can find another place to get this done? Is there another hospital or clinic that you can see a gastroenterologist?

Also, can you go to the hospital and try to get a face to face with whomever is responsible for scheduling? The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Go and be heard!!! It will definitely help with the anxiety.

I am hoping there are some others that have had a personal experience and they can share how they resolved the issue. We do wish you the very best in your efforts to get this done. Please keep us informed. We want to hear about your success story and how you made it happen.

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Docksgirl in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thankyou for your reply Tom. I do not know where you live but here I have not seen my GP for 2 years face to face. It is all telephone, then it is a 2 week wait. What happened was that I had stomach pain and diarrhoea, the doctor asked me to do aFIT test which was positive. The hospital decided to do both tests. It just so happened the CT dept. were quicker off the mark. I will not get results till after both tests. The hospital has security on the door you would not get in and we only have a couple of choices for each area. I will try again Monday, cannot understand how a colorectal dept. will not answer phone. Need private insurance these days. Thanks once again.

[Haylingisland]

Ahh bless you the waiting is the hardest part for those of us that suffer with anxiety. I am in a similar position in that I saw the Colorectal surgeon on Monday who said I need a colonoscopy and endoscopy however since then I have tested positive for Covid so I have to isolate which isn’t good for your mental health either. I am using my private health care for the procedures but there is still around a 3 week wait. I hope that you manage to get hold of someone in that department soon. Maybe ask the GP to put the referral through again. Take care

[Docksgirl in reply to Haylingisland]

Glad you are being seen to. What happens if you need further care after the procedures can you go back to NHS? I have already had one part done at Basildon so don’t think I would go elsewhere. I don’t expect to be seen immediately but to be told next week, every time then nothing. Just want a date so I know I am in the loop. Hope all goes well with you.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Docksgirl]

Hi again Docksgirl,

In 2020 I would go into the hospital for my annual colonoscopy and CT Scan and each would be discussed over the phone or on a zoom meeting and definitely not weeks later. It would be a day or so. In 2021 we were back face to face for those test result discussions. I am over here in the states and have private insurance.

I would think there should be some urgency in your situation. Information is key and the CT and colonoscopy provide a lot of that.

I understand the telephone meetings and perhaps zoom calls on the PC, but that should be to discuss results and make action plans. You have an action plan (CT & colonoscopy) and the hospital just isn't responding. And I'm not sure why the CT results are not being discussed (phone / zoom) as I would think the colonoscopy would be reviewed by completely different people.

I looked up NHS and found this. Maybe this could be of some help?

You'll find a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in most hospitals.

You can speak with a PALS member, who'll try to help you resolve issues informally with the hospital before you need to make a complaint.

nhs.uk/Service-Search/Patie...

I know you don't want to go "elsewhere" and unless "elsewhere" is connected to where you had the CT scan performed, the information would need to be brought together some how.

Like Haylingisland said, perhaps work it through your GP via phone and maybe your GP can make it happen. I just really hate to hear about these wait times. I can see how that is frustrating the situation.

Just curious, what would be the difference if you were using private insurance? Would that enable more options as far as facilities, or would that give you some kind of priority over using NHS? Does the hospital give preferential status for private insurance users?

We do wish you the best with this. You just have to keep calling and forcing the issue. Please keep us informed about this situation. You definitely can't be the only one with these issues.

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Haylingisland in reply to Docksgirl]

Hi my GP said she would put a referral through to the NHS and I could use my private Health care and whichever came through first I should use. I’m not sure if you can switch between the 2, but I’m sure if you wanted a colonoscopy through BUPA you could get one within a few weeks. (They said to me I would need 3 days isolating before the procedure because you have to have a Covid PCR test ) good luck next week I hope you get a date for it.

[Docksgirl]

Thankyou once again Tom. Yes private medical issues will get done faster than NHS. You cannot usually mix the two. I had looked into PALS and will certainly use them if I have anymore delays. Most of us in the same boat here, no face to face. We could afford to pay for the colonoscopy but not the treatment if needed. Will keep you informed of any further developments.