can’t win

[Toby14]

I had to cancel an appointment for a scan today for which i have been waiting 2 months for. Suffering from chronic pain. Ten 10 days ago i fell ill with norovirus and it’s still with me.The receptionist at the appointment told me to come in as she couldn’t offer me another appointment for 2 months. I’m now at bottom of the list again.I thought you had to stay away from hospital with norovirus to protect others.I can’t win. Anyone else got norovirus. It’s been debilitating.

[Scooterz2]

sadly the NHS is so bu***red from covid they are so behind with appointments and treatment they for whatever reason patients have don’t look favourably on cancellations and do put you to the bottom of the list.

it will be like this for many years whilst they clear the backlog sadly,

The only other option is to go private for the scan? Does your employer have health cover as part of their benefits scheme or could you pay yourself?

[Toby14 in reply to Scooterz2]

Thankyou for your reply. I am retired.The lady said it would be next year. I feel I'm being punished for being sickbut that's something I can't control with all the germs around. I shall just have to wait.

[Scooterz2 in reply to Toby14]

Totally not your fault, but sadly it’s you who faces the inconvenience.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

My empathy coming your way as Norovirus is horrid, indeed would you go out with it ☹️and spread it around ,also your properly feeling so poorly you wouldn’t get past the front door anyway, very unfair putting you back too the bottom of the list🙁when your better I’d ring and say any cancellation s and why you cancelled , you never know you might get a good receptionist with some sympathy on the day ,get well soon .

[Toby14 in reply to Yassytina]

Unfortunately the receptionist was not very sympathetic. Asking me to attend when I can barely stand.If I would have sick at the hospital they would have said I should of stayed.home Like I said can't win. I'm going to call back in a couple of days t try and move appointment for day. That's all I can. Do. Thankyou for your reply

[Flowerinbloom in reply to Toby14]

The receptionist is only following the rules set to her and unfortunately when you cancel last minute they can’t make an appointment which they do not have as others will already be booked in.

The only option is to maybe try for a cancellation as I am sure like yourself someone else may be ill and cancel last minute.

I have had to cancel myself for different appointments one was my orthopaedic consultant which I had waited for 6 months but it was what it was I was too ill to attend and waited a further 4 months to see the consultant again but it was myself who had cancelled so I just had to accept that !

Hopefully you will get a cancellation and not wait another 2 months for your scan.

[Welshcatlady]

Sorry to hear that you have Norovirus and that you have had to cancel your appointment for a scan, and that the receptionist was so unsympathetic. I hope when you call back in a couple of days you will get an appointment soon. x

[Toby14 in reply to Welshcatlady]

Thankyou so much. I've had norovirus before but this strain is much worse.

[Elaine200756]

Hi Toby, norovirus is horrible! I haven't had it myself, thank goodness, but I have heard about the symptoms. And mix in chronic pain and it must be hell. I'm sorry you have had to cancel your appointment and have ended up back at the bottom of the list.

The receptionist telling you to come in, despite knowing that you had norovirus is alarming really. Vulnerable people may be attending the department with devastating outcomes.

Rest up as much as you can in the circumstances and take care of yourself.

Hugs, Elaine xx 🤗

[Toby14 in reply to Elaine200756]

Thanks Elaine. I agree it was shocking to ask me to still come in.One cough and I've spread it everywhere. Thankyou x

[Elaine200756 in reply to Toby14]

You're welcome Toby. Hope you feel better soon xx 🤗

[Littlepicasso3]

Noro Virus is awful and very debilitating and you shouldn’t have been asked to attend . We are encouraged to cancel NHS appointments as early as we suspect we won’t be fit to attend . Thus allowing appointments to be offered to folk at short notice so no appointments are wasted . I’d ring them when your fit to leave the house and see if you can get a short notice one . Hope you’re feeling better soon .

[Toby14 in reply to Littlepicasso3]

Thanks. This virus is miserable. Just my bad luck I got ill around appointment time

[giraffe8]

I am sorry to hear this You should not have been told this You did the correct thing and stayed away all Nhs staff should know the protocol for novovirus Please ring and ask to speak to PALS or the equivelent at your hospital, explain the situation They should immediately educate the reception staff member and hopefully find you a sooner new replacement appointment. Get names of who you speak to I hope you feel better very soon. The hospital should be informed as this staff member is completley wrong and could endanger other staff and patients at the hospital.

[misspicky82]

Hey Toby,

I'm sorry to hear that you've got Norovirus, I know how debilitating it is. Mine is slightly different as I didn't have Norovirus but I have a bad chest infection and I had to cancel my first physio appointment a week ago bcoz that's when it was all kicking in and I felt horrible, I had a fever of 38.7 plus I'm T1D and my sugars were sky high due to the infection. They were the same with me, I now can't have my physio until mid January and the receptionist was really off with me too, telling me to just come in and I couldn't believe it! Yes I understand it was last minute but do they really think we would be cancelling appointments that we've asked for ourselves 🤷🏻‍♀️ that's the NHS for you though, lack of empathy, but unfortunately they are just following procedures, but the receptionists could be a little more understanding when speaking to you, it doesn't cost anything to be nice does it. I hope you feel better soon, wishing you a speedy recovery and take care of yourself xx

[Toby14 in reply to misspicky82]

thank you so much. I hope you’re feeling better as well. I get lots of chest infections as i only have one lung.Your right they could have been more pleasant.Maybe one day they will be in the same position and will begin to understand just how we feel.