Hospital appointment

[Patdoyle]

Just wondering how long you wait to get a letter for a rheumatologist appointment. I was at the ENT department and she said she would refer me to rheumatology but I just rand the hospital and they said there was a 16 week wait before you get a letter. I can understand a 16 week wait for an appointment but not to get an appointment letter. Can anyone help

[pinny123]

Hi I waited for around five months for rheumatology and I've been waiting six months for a neurology appointment...☹️ if its not an emergency... The wait is arrgh...you could try asking your GP to gee them up a bit but even after your first appointment you might have to wait four months for a follow up... Hopefully it might be better where you are, I'm in Bedfordshire 🙂 xx

[Jurph]

I fear this is a tactic to meet government targets.

I beleive the 18 week wait starts when you get the letter. Doing it this way doesn't affect the targets.

[Dinkie]

Cynical me would say you get an appointment then they send you a letter cancelling it - that way they meet targets. Put it this way I waited 2 years for a six week follow up appointment! Don't want to put a downer on it as it depends on area and availability of rheumatologists. For some reason our area can't keep their rheumatologists longer than a few months. Never ever did I see the same one twice You could always asked to be put on the cancellation list which I did. Provided you can be available at short notice they are usually more than happy to oblige.

[Patdoyle]

What concerns me is the ENT woman also said she would write to the GP to put me back on amytrypaline but rang GP today and the receptionist said the letter to them doesn’t mention it. Have made a GP appointment to try to sort it out but wonder if she ever did refer me to rheumatologist and neurologist. Feel like I am getting the run around.

[Horsesgalore]

I got given a letter by my GP so I could book it myself online (or by phone) using 'Choose and Book' I think it was a 6 month wait to see a Rheumatolgist in Essex, I then discovered that the wait list for Guys Hospital in London was much shorter and as I work in London it would be more convenient, so I asked my GP if I could go there, no problem and he gave me a new choose and book form and I only had to wait 6 weeks for an appointment.

[Patdoyle in reply to Horsesgalore]

I looked online and the southport hospital where I went for the ENT appeared to have the shortest waiting time. It was the ENT woman who is supposed to have referred me over to neuro and rheumatology. I’ve got a feeling I will end up having to pay for private appointments. The NHS has been a big letdown for me.