CT Scan - Lung

[TheBoys]

Hello... just a bit of advice.

I cant get onto Methotrexate until my Rheumy is satisfied that my left lung is ok.

I have had pneumonia a couple of times and an xray before Christmas showed a partial collapse.

He referred me for a lung CT scan to see what is going on. In the meantime he gave me sulfasalazine...which was then stopped because of side effects. This week starting om hydroxy.

Anyway my scan date has come through for Barts Hospital...its july 2.

Is 7 months normal? It seems a bit pointless . I cant believe that in London..it takes nearly a year for a CT. I must be naive.

[Bojedo]

I am not accustomed to the medical services you have in the UK. I live in the US, and retired a few months ago from a well known medical clinic. Lung CT scans were scheduled for numerous clinical research studies I was working with. So, I can tell you that they take about 15 minutes (or less) to perform, with perhaps another total 30 minutes max. added for getting in and out the door. We can schedule a CT scan here within a few days, and perhaps if you were to come to the desk, you would get ‘“worked” in the schedule today. I am wondering what the holdup is. Do you have electronic records there? Am I equally as naive?

It is apparent to me that the issue is not the CT scan, because it is a fast easy procedure. It must be the records, physician ordering, and/or the scheduling that are seriously failing.

[Gnarli in reply to Bojedo]

Not naive, Bodejo. It's just the way things seem to be going in our health service. It's grossly overstretched and understaffed with insufficient resources. It's a worrying situation

[crashdoll]

Gosh, that is a long wait. I had a scan at the end of 2017 and the consultant requested lung function tests and chest CT scan with a follow up appointment and asked for it done within 4-6 weeks. I thought “no chance” but it all happened very quickly. I’ve had a further chest CT which was also done within a few weeks. Your wait seems unreasonably long. Can you phone and see if you can get a cancellation?

[TheBoys in reply to crashdoll]

Tnx

.i complained lsst night. 7 months is crazy.

[Mmrr in reply to TheBoys]

In my experience you need to keep asking questions ?

Why so long a wait ?

What happens to my health in the meantime ?

How will my health be maintained and measured buy the the health board until the 7 months are up ?

Find out the waiting times your healthboard say they will deliver within (go on line, phone and ask) , then ask why they are not meeting their target with you ?

Do everything in writing, so everyone has a record of questions and replies.

Try to get your GP onside.

If you accept poor care, that's what you get.

I'm passionate about people with RD complaining until we all get better.

Good luck.

[TheBoys in reply to Mmrr]

Thanks..I posted a crap review on NHS reviews site and then lodged a complaint. A lady contacted me with a view of bringing it forward. Evidently, the CT machine in Mile End as used by Rheumatology is only available on clinic days (1 day a week except christmas and new year) and then only so many slots are available for planned bookings. So, a piece of kit lies idle for most of the year.

[Mmrr in reply to TheBoys]

Scream

[TheBoys in reply to Mmrr]

Yup

..what a poxy waste. I chose Mile End/Barts on the strength of reviews...and an amazingly detailed website. I ll be writing to my MP next week if no joy.

[Gnarli]

Perhaps if you keep ringing for a cancellation they'll fit you in quicker. Unfortunately, it seems just another example of the overstretched NHS creaking under the strain

[Joy_1]

Have you asked to be put on the cancellation list. That may do the trick.