Follow-up appointment cancelled three times

[CitizenErased]

Hi everyone.

I hope you are all doing as well as possible.

Is anyone else is having issues with Colchester hospital? I had an initial appointment earlier this year followed by an MRI in August. I got the results of the MRI in September, which included zero explanation, but everyone on here helped me figure out that it does show I have endometriosis.

Naturally, I'm now really keen to speak to a doctor to understand what my options are and to get my dozens of questions answered. I called them as soon as I got my results and asked if I could move up my appointment, since I wasn't meant to have a follow-up until six months after my initial appointment, and I really didn't want to have to wait so long with this diagnosis hanging over my head. They booked it in happily, but since then the appointment has been cancelled three times! No explanation, just 'sorry for the inconvenience'. They also say they will be in contact after cancelling to rebook, but they never do and I have to chase it myself.

This time, I've been trying to call them at different times on different days and on two different numbers, but no one ever picks up. I've sent an email too, but there's been no reply to that either.

Is anyone else being treated at Colchester and having the same problems? I didn't want to complain as I don't want to sour the relationship with my doctor, but I think I'll just have to go through PALs at this rate 😔

[Tangoandmax]

Hi, go directly to PALS. Explain the impact it’s having on you physically and mentally. There might be a staffing issue based on the gyne you’re allocated to, in my experience you end up just stuck with one and if they’re off for whatever reason you wait and wait and wait.

Pop everything in the complaint, the lack of communication, that they aren’t rebooking without you initiating/following up. They only treat people like this who let them. Those that make a noise (even though you shouldn’t have to) are dealt with more appropriately.

[Lofty1589]

Hi! I’m under Colchester. Are you seeing one of the Endo team - Wai, Rao or Whitlow?

I attended a talk with Mr W and the new Endo nurse a few weeks ago. The service is under a lot of pressure at the moment. There is only one secretary at the moment for all the Endo doctors so she is absolutely drowning in requests etc. There is now a dedicated email for the Endo Centre at Colchester which we have been asked to email because of this. It is looked after by 4 people, one of which is the lovely Endo nurse. The response time is up to a week.

The Gynae department are currently awful at answering the phones. I had my surgery follow up last month (8 months post op) but had heard that others had their appointments cancelled. I was panicking but no one was picking up the phone. It took 40 minutes of repetitive redialling before someone did - and it was within their open hours!

Something you can do for the MRI results as well is put in a Subject Access Request. You can Google “Colchester Hospital Subject Access Request” and there is an online form. You can request the MRI report which will tell you everything they can see. There is obviously medical jargon but nothing will be missed out like they can be on a letter.

PALS would be a good way to go as they have assisted me in the past with appointment issues. It won’t sour any relationship because they are there to assist. I’ve previously had to put in a major complaint about my care (not specific to my consultant) and it hadn’t impacted the respect I’m given.

Happy to discuss more if you’d like! 💛

[CitizenErased in reply to Lofty1589]

Thanks for replying! Yes I'm under Rao, but only seen one of the registrars so far. I didn't know that about the secretary – poor thing! She must be having an absolute nightmare.

I did get a copy of the full report for the MRI (or at least I think I did – it's about a page long). I've pretty much figured out most of it. I'm just desperate to find out what my options are. I've been booked in again now (for the fourth time) and it's quite soon, so I think if they cancel this one, I'll go through PALs. Its good to hear it didn't sour things in your case!

Do you have the email you mentioned please? It would be handy to know that for future!

Thanks so much for your help.

[Bakewey]

I’ve DM you. Hope it is useful.

[Mollymoobear]

Hey love just to say hang in in there. I'm in a similar situation in the North West. I had my diagnostic laparoscopy cancelled 6 times to prioritise other patients. Finally had it 24th July and still waiting for an '8 week post op'. Spoke to legal services and can't get the results from them either. Wild times, we will get there though! Fingers crossed for you