Apprently urgent MRI scans take 4 weeks. I called to ask if it could be brought forward. I was told they have quite a lot of cancellations but there is no system for a waiting list due to staff shortages. i.e. They do not have time to phone patients who can fill these appointments, But told me to ring any time and as many times as I wish to check cancelled appointments, so they have time to answer me several times a day but no time to call me and offer a cancellation. This does not add up. System needs updating.
No wonder the health service is in the state it is in.
Every hospital has volunteers, why not use them to fill cancelled appointments?
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Chattyboop
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Hi Chattyboop,
It's so frustrating, isn't it, whenever you uncover a real failing within your own NHS Health Authority and particularly when it's actually preventing you from getting the diagnosis or treatment that you need?
I think most of us can see that all NHS services are creaking at the seams and it's also clear that some NHS Authorities seem to cope much better than others, making timely treatment a definite post-code lottery nationwide.
But I don't believe that the answer in shortfalls is to resort to using volunteers in circumstances like the one you mention. Volunteers are a greatly appreciated part of hospital life, but I think we need to push in any direction we can for proper overall improvement, not second-rate, sticking plaster solutions.
Hard though that is, when it is you not getting the treatment you feel you should be having, or at the speed at which you'd like it delivered, we either have to accept as a nation that our NHS is crumbling and standards falling, or to stand up and be counted when it comes to our dissatisfaction with the services we are receiving. And that includes any legal measure you can come up with, including lobbying your MP and joining groups which fight to keep our great NHS in good health itself.
My problem with appointments dept happened on friday morning. In the afternoon I went to my craft club and heard from 3 of the ladies that recently had scans that they were all phoned and offered scans within 1 week due to cancellations. Obviously I am even more angry now having been blatantly lied to.
I will be asking questions come monday this is a staff problem not political.
Point taken Chattychops. When I called the NHS appointment line yesterday, the first question I asked was to whom I should complain when, (as I am pretty sure will happen), I do not receive an appointment within the stated 2-4 weeks. However, if I was a NHS worker, under pressure, I'm not sure how onside I'd be with anyone who became rude or aggressively demanding. But I know it makes you want to commit an act of violence, for sure. However, good luck resolving this with your own questioning!
God I waited three months for one and said was all fine.Then had an xray which showed up damage,Dont think they even looked at it or not properly trained.so still in pain most of the time,But my practice don't care.
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