CHEC community health eye clinics, poor service?

[tincress]

My NHS hospital appointment was cancelled and without explanation I was referred to the above service recently commissioned by the NHS to reduce the NHS load of eye patients. Communication with them is almost impossible and my urgent diagnosis for glaucoma (imperative to enable treatment to begin) was delayed from March when Specsavers found deterioration and referred me to the hospital until the end of July when my GP surgery intervened and insisted I was seen. The ophthalmologist I saw at CHEC asked me to come back in six weeks for a follow up to assess the efficacy of the the prescribed treatment, first hurdle no appointments can be made at the clinic, second hurdle email (no reply) or phone head office ( no appointments at my clinic for 10 weeks). Has anyone else experienced these issues? It seems a waste of NHS resources to be using this organisation, not fit for purpose and causing potentially dangerous delays for eye patients treatment.

[AlfredV]

Sorry for your troubles. My own experience is that services are deteriorating. Following eye surgery in January and an instruction to taper steroids one week later, I'm still awaiting the promised 6 week follow up on that. It is surgery I've had before and previously I was seen at least every fortnight for a number of months afterwards.

Maybe try for a referral via your GP?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. It might be worth calling the hospital where you were originally seen, and asking to speak to the eye secretary regarding delays in appointment. They may be able to help. Failing that you can try speaking to the PALS department

[Granny79]

My Opticians referred me to the Bristol Eye Hospital in May 2021. I had a letter come to tell me to book an appointment. The only problem was that there were no appointments available at 5 options that I had. Nine months later I was finally offered an appointment. That was a Sunday as they had set up extra clinics. Given drops, but they made little difference and I ended up 6 weeks later having Laser treatment. There is some damage to the optic nerve in my right eye. Not sure if this was because of the delay or not. Had a follow up at another clinic where all they did was the pressures and sight/reading test. I did not see the consultant, but had a brief letter two weeks later saying I would be seen in two months where they may decide further laser treatment is needed. My Mother lost her sight to Glaucoma and I am so afraid I will lose mine.

I certainly think that the service has deteriorated.

[Longwalks3]

Glaucoma care really does seem to have become a terrible post code lottery. I'm afraid I have opted out of NHS care for the moment. I know I am very fortunate to have this option and that it is not available to all. One thing we could all do is write to our MPs highlighting the problems. I hope you get your appointments sorted soon.

[Eahldt]

Years ago, before the current situation, I had several appointments cancelled and consequently went longer between appointments than planned by my consultant. I’m sure my sight deteriorated as a result because the consultant was visibly concerned when he saw me and I was given immediate laser treatment then a trabeculectomy but of course that doesn’t bring back the sight you’ve lost. Then I was naive about the implications of delay. Now I’m much more aware. Fortunately in my area appointments for me continued throughout Covid, the NHS system is currently good and I can get appointments via my consultant’s secretary. My current consultant is brilliant. If the situation changes for the worse I would go private but realise also that not everyone can do that. Healthcare shouldn’t be a postcode lottery but it is and I would urge everyone wherever they live to use all means possible in their area to be seen. When I had my appointments cancelled I resorted to tweeting the NHS which resulted in a phone call from a senior manager and an appointment soon after. Good luck to you all in your attempts to get treatment.