I have been told that I will have to wait over a year for an appointment at The National Hospital for Neurology.

[walker47]

I thought the maximum time allowed for an NHS appointment was 18 weeks. Does anyone else have experience of excessive waiting times at this hospital? If so what did you do about it?

[VictoriaS]

Call back to verify, keep pestering. Ask your GP to ring. Try to get hold of the secretary of the consultant you have been referred to. If you keep pestering sometimes you can be put on waiting lists. Often appointments get changed out of the blue.

And in the mean time book an appointment (for a few weeks time) with the National Migraine Centre!

[walker47 in reply to VictoriaS]

Thanks for your reply. I have pestered everyone. To avoid all the aggro have made an appointment with National Migraine Centre. It annoys me though having paid my taxes that I will have to pay again.

[Hidden]

Some years ago, I had to wait a very long time for an appointment. I was hoping to see Prof. Peter Goadsby but was palmed off on a Spanish doctor. About a year later, I saw Prof. Goadsby but sometime after that, he went private and then the hospital seemed to forget about me totally. I didn't hear from them again. I was not impressed.

In total contrast, within three days of applying, I got an appointment (yesterday) at the Nationla Migraine Centre for an appointment in two weeks' time! Of course, the National Migraine Centre is a private charity and they invite you to make a donation of at least £100 but this is open to negotiation.

[Hidden]

I am wondering who told you it would be a years wait, was it the hospital themselves? On the hospital website I think it states 6 weeks to 3 months wait at the most. This is definitely worth chasing.

As a patient of NMC I can only recommend them, they really are wonderful and are streets ahead in their experience and understanding.

Good luck!

[LJH7]

Hi, I have been on waiting list for a year and finally have my appointment through for April. let's hope it's worth the wait! I have seen Dr Dowson privately but didn't see why I should keep paying and had to go through another neurologist first so it's been about 18 months to get this far. Depends what you wanted referral for. Mine was for nerve implant and so need to see them for that but if for medication options etc then maybe going private or to migraine centre is a good first option.