WHEN??????

[Marnie22]

Today I was pleased to receive a appointment for my local neuro rehabilitation service, my GP having agreed to refer me about three months ago. Then I saw the date of the appointment. Late July 2020. 😦😦😦😦😦 I couldn't believe it - over seven months away! My brain injury was in March 2016. Naturally I shall see if there's any way to get an appointment more quickly but ........ really. I was really chuffed an appointment had come, but now I am frustrated and upset. If you have read this - thanks.

[cat3]

Hi Marnie. I agree that a four year wait is excessive, but your appointment will have been scheduled from the date of the referral, and a nine month wait isn't extreme by today's standards.

It seems to be the practice that we're discharged from hospital into the care of our GP who can refer us on for specialist help if we're struggling.

My GP made an urgent referral back to my neuro team eighteen months after my discharge ...…...but the appointment didn't come through 'til 12months hence.

Hang in there m'dear ; it's frustrating but very much the norm. x

[Marnie22 in reply to cat3]

Thanks for your reply. I do understand that the time starts from the date the hospital received the referral, but in the paperwork they sent and on their website it states that you will be seen within 18 weeks. I guess it's also extra hard get me to swallow as it's at the same hospital where my injury was caused by a surgeon. Hard to take. I am going to try and push for an earlier appointment. Thanks again.

[cat3 in reply to Marnie22]

Marnie, you've nothing to lose from contacting them and pointing out their claims ; I never had that option but if I had I would've jumped at it. And if the injury was from malpractice I'm guessing you'll be a priority case. Go for it m'love…..and let us know how you get on. Good luck xx

[Marnie22 in reply to cat3]

Thanks for your encouragement. 😀

[1949liz]

Hi Marnie, everything Cat said is correct it’s unfortunately a waiting game. When your doctor fills in his form he or she says it’s either normal or urgent that’s the key, if it’s normal you put on the long waiting list BUT if you ask him to write that’s it’s URGENT then you might be seen within a two week slot. Apparently that’s the governments promise I was told this by my doctor so it must be true. So URGENT you are see within two weeks normal you wait. If you telephone for an appointment they will tell you they will put you on the cancellation list it’s a ruse to get you off there back. Best of luck Liz x🌹

[Marnie22 in reply to 1949liz]

Thank you!

[sospan]

Yep, it is completely bonkers.

Four years plus the chances of any "rehab" have long gone. You will have developed your own "coping" mechanisms and solutions.

The question is - what do you want out of the session now

[Marnie22 in reply to sospan]

I was advised by a staff member at my local Headway that I could be referred to rehab at any point, especially as I have never had any assessment or input of that kind before.

I want support from OT to deal with severe fatigue, sensory overload and the hideous confusion that I wake up with every morning.

[sospan in reply to Marnie22]

Hopefully it will be better in your area. But most people I have come across whom see a Neuro team many years post injury come away with little more than reassurance.

Rehab works best if it is given promptly after injury and 4 years is quite a spell. When I saw a several Neuro Psychologists several years into a legal case their guidance was to carry on what I was doing and not overdo things and that things will ease overtime but not get better. Many people I have come across over the years have reported the same. Most of the advice is to just get out there and do things.

Be really interested (if not jealous ) to see what support you get.

[Marnie22 in reply to sospan]

Thanks for your reply. The reason nothing happened for over three years is because the surgeon who caused the injury denied anything happened. I am currently phoning everyone I can think of ( PALS, CCG, NHS Improvement, Healthwatch,) to complain about the wait for the appointment and not having been offered an alternative hospital. GRRRRR!!!

[FlowerPower62]

I hope you get somewhere. After an injury in January, 3 months in hospital, we had a review last week. The consultant agreed we could try more therapy, and understood we felt abandoned as we had nothing after discharge. I hope it's never too late. No idea when or if it will hapt though. Good luck.

[Marnie22 in reply to FlowerPower62]

Thank you.

[barny1]

Vote Labour/Lib Dem/SNP depending on where you are...save the NHS and stop this Tory reign of terror on the disabled.

tactical.vote